Nigerian Diaspora Groups in U.S. Reject Proposed American Military Intervention in Nigeria

Nigeria Embassy washington

A coalition of Nigerian organisations in the United States has firmly opposed any plan by the U.S. government to deploy troops to Nigeria under the pretext of protecting persecuted Christians.

The position was made public in a joint statement signed by Temi Aregbesola, President of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), and 19 other diaspora groups, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military action after designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged mass killings of Christians.

The groups acknowledged the rising insecurity in Nigeria, which has affected citizens across religious lines, but insisted that military involvement by a foreign power is unacceptable.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation. Security responsibility must remain with the Nigerian government, not foreign troops,” the statement declared.

While rejecting the idea of external military presence, the organisations criticised successive Nigerian governments for failing to halt escalating violence, displacement, and mass killings in several states. They urged Abuja to immediately reinforce security across vulnerable communities and conduct a transparent audit of security operations and human rights violations.

The coalition said Nigeria should work with international partners only in areas such as intelligence sharing, training, and logistical support not armed intervention. They also called for a long-term national strategy to protect religious and ethnic minorities and prevent the country from being further branded as a systematic violator of religious freedom.

The signatories emphasised the role of civil society, faith groups, and the Nigerian diaspora in shaping peace and reconciliation programmes, stressing that the “Country of Particular Concern” label should serve as a wake-up call for internal reform, not an excuse for foreign occupation.

The statement was endorsed by a wide-ranging list of Nigerian professional, religious, cultural and advocacy bodies in the U.S., including the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America, Nigerian Lawyers Association USA, Nigerian Nurses Association, Zumunta Association USA, Eko Club International, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) New Jersey chapter.

Founded in 1989, OAN has historically led efforts to challenge negative portrayals of Nigerians in U.S. media and promote the country’s image abroad.