On December 1, 2025, in Lagos at the Citadel Global Community Church in Sabo, Yaba, Pastor Tunde Bakare publicly claimed that President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and his stern approach to security are motivated by an apparent fascination with Nigeria’s oil wealth and other national assets. Bakare framed the matter as his interpretation, not an official US confirmation, and he cautioned that mismanaging such interests could provoke religious tensions among Nigerians.
Bakare went further to describe a vision in which Trump arrives in Lagos aboard Air Force One, wearing Middle Eastern attire, signaling a transactional, opportunity-driven approach to Nigeria. He urged Nigeria’s federal government to engage Washington with a mutually advantageous economic proposal that safeguards security, education, industry, and access to cutting-edge technologies — rather than allowing pressure to dictate policy.
Coverage of Bakare’s remarks appears in several Nigerian outlets, including The Advocate, Legit.ng, and The Papers.ng, which report his statements but do not provide independent verification of the claimed US interest. The Advocate notes the Tinubu administration’s prompt reactions; however, detailed official responses were not included in the cited excerpts and would require additional sources.
The article emphasizes that these are Bakare’s claims and interpretations, not confirmed statements from Donald Trump or the US government. If there were any element of truth behind such claims, commentators worry it could influence US-Nigeria relations, investment, and security policy, with potential risks of religious unrest if not carefully managed.
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