Foreign Policy published on 20 November 2025 a commentary titled "Nigeria Is Turing into a U.S.-China Battleground" by Patrick Egwu, a Nigerian-born freelance journalist based in Toronto.
After President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians by Islamic insurgents, China has stepped in to oppose Trump's actions--deepening the contest between Washington and Beijing for the allegiance of Africa's most populous country.
The Hudson Institute published in November 2025 an analysis titled "A Better Understanding of Nigeria's Problems" by James Barnett.
This is a reasoned analysis of the current situation in Nigeria and useful discussion of President Trump's recent social media post to send US troops into Nigeria "guns-a-blazing." The author concludes: "Insisting on a heightened and visible military posture would face international risk and political resistance within Nigeria."
The International Crisis Group published on 7 November 2025 an analysis titled "Why Is President Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?" by Nnamdi Obasi, the Crisis Group's senior adviser for Nigeria.
The author reviews the background of President Trump's threat to engage militarily in Nigeria to protect Christians and describes the current situation in the country. He points out that the US-Nigerian rift has brought bilateral ties to their lowest point since the 1970s, when the two countries were at odds on how to end apartheid in South Africa.
World Politics Review published on 6 November 2025 a commentary titled "Trump's Nigeria Delusion."
The commentary reviews Boko Haram's jihadi attacks in Nigeria and compares President Trump's proposed response similar to his striking of small boats off Venezuela. The commentary concludes: "Trumps crusade in Nigeria is detached from a realistic understanding of what is happening there. In this case it seems to be the product of lobbying from evangelical Christians among his MAGA base."
The BBC published on 6 November 2025 an article titled "Are Christians Being Persecuted in Nigeria as Trump Claims?" by Olaronke Alo, Chiamaka Enendu, and Ijeoma Ndukwe.
President Trump's claim that Nigeria, which is about equally divided between Muslims and Christians, is persecuting Christians apparently stems from attacks in northern Nigeria by the jihadi organization Boko Haram that began in 2009. The BBC looks at the numbers killed over the years and concludes Boko Haram probably has killed more Muslims than Christians. In any event, the government of Nigeria strongly opposes Boko Haram.
