I do not feel good about Donald Trump’s position- JJ Omojuwa
During a discussion with U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer at the Halifax International Security Forum 2025. Nigerian Political commentator JJ Omojuwa, addressed concerns over President Donald Trump’s statements about Nigeria and the potential effects on the country’s security situation.
Senator Cramer had remarked that “Christians in Nigeria are probably feeling pretty good about Donald Trump’s position.” Omojuwa responded to him that, as a Nigerian Christian, he personally did not share that sentiment.
“I am 1 out of 100 million Christians, a very small sample size, I know. But I do not feel good about Donald Trump’s position,” He referenced Trump’s description of Nigeria as a “disgraced country,” noting it was a step up from his previous language of it being a “shithole country” but nonetheless still problematic.
Omojuwa expanded his comments to discuss broader questions of international diplomacy. He goes on to buttress his point by giving an example about shoes and suits. He said that if he decides to help anyone he feels that their shoes are a poor match with their clothes, he wouldn’t insult them.
He would take them out and buy them great shoes. He goes on to ask whether powerful nations can assist poorer countries in ways that are helpful rather than harmful. “Is there a way to help Nigeria decently, without making things worse and without disrespecting Nigerian Christians and Muslims?” he queried?
He also pointed to challenges in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, noting that Nigeria had the resources and intention to purchase weapons from the U.S. but restrictions were sometimes imposed on their use. “Since Donald Trump said what he said about Christians, Christians have been abducted in churches in the northwest of Nigeria. Muslim students have also been abducted. I do not speak to causation, but there is a correlation from the point Trump spoke about Nigeria’s challenges and the escalation of terrorism,” Omojuwa said.
Senator Cramer acknowledged Omojuwa’s concerns, emphasizing that words matter as much as actions. “The right words help. A more delicate way of saying something is obviously better than a brutal way. But actions do matter. A lot of people might say the right thing and do the wrong thing,” the senator said.
The discussion highlighted the complexities of international communication and aid, and the ways rhetoric from world leaders can impact perceptions and security on the ground.
