Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has cautioned President Donald Trump of the United States over his recent remarks about religious persecution in Nigeria. According to Soyinka, the claim by the American president was misleading and could worsen the already fragile situation in the country. He emphasized that the real issue lies not in the division between Christians and Muslims, but in the unchecked actions of religious extremists who continue to commit crimes without facing justice.
Soyinka’s caution came after reports that President Trump had directed the United States Department of Defence to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria. Trump’s reason was his belief that Christians were being systematically killed in the country, and he demanded that the Nigerian government act swiftly to stop the alleged killings. However, Soyinka, known globally for his outspokenness and deep understanding of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, countered the narrative, stating that Trump’s threat and conclusions lacked factual grounding and could fuel unnecessary religious tension.
In his response, Soyinka explained that Nigeria’s conflicts cannot be reduced to a simple case of Christians versus Muslims. He argued that such a one-dimensional view ignores the historical, political, and ethnic complexities that shape violence in the country. According to him, the real problem is the rise of religious extremism and the failure of leadership to hold perpetrators accountable. When criminals act in the name of religion and go unpunished, it creates a cycle of impunity that fuels more violence and deepens mistrust among citizens.
Soyinka reminded both local and international observers that Nigeria’s religious divide is not new. He noted that the dichotomy between Christianity and Islam has existed for decades, but it becomes particularly dangerous when politics is allowed to exploit these differences. Mixing religion with politics, he said, turns an already sensitive issue into a national crisis. “We must separate Nigeria’s internal challenges from President Trump’s response,” Soyinka remarked, adding that reckless international comments can distort facts and worsen hostilities.
He also highlighted several disturbing examples to illustrate his point. One such case involved a female student who was lynched by a mob over alleged blasphemy, with her killers proudly sharing videos of the act online. Despite the public outrage, the culprits went unpunished. For Soyinka, this lack of justice only strengthens extremist groups and feeds the perception of a religious war. He stressed that what Nigeria is truly battling are “extremists”—political Islamists operating under names such as Boko Haram or ISWAP—rather than ordinary Muslims. These groups, he noted, have international ties and access to sophisticated weapons, making them formidable opponents for the Nigerian military.
By addressing Trump’s Threat: Soyinka Tells US President the Real Problem, the Nobel Laureate joined other prominent voices who have rejected the U.S. president’s claim of religious persecution. Many, including the European Union, have dismissed Trump’s assertions as unverified and urged respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty. Soyinka’s position underscores a larger truth: that external powers must approach Nigeria’s internal issues with caution and context, rather than sweeping generalizations.
In conclusion, Soyinka’s remarks serve as both a warning and a lesson. He urged the United States and other global leaders to understand the deeper roots of Nigeria’s insecurity—corruption, political manipulation, and unchecked extremism—rather than framing it solely as a religious conflict. His words remind the world that the real threat is not between faiths but from those who twist religion for power and profit. Trump’s Threat: Soyinka Tells US President the Real Problem remains a powerful reminder that misinformed foreign interventions could aggravate divisions rather than solve them.
Source: Legitng