The People’s Republic of China has openly rejected what it described as “unacceptable interference” in Nigeria’s internal affairs, condemning threats of military action reportedly made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Beijing declared its full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing Nigeria as a “comprehensive strategic partner” whose sovereignty must be respected.
During a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that China “firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path suited to its national conditions,” adding that no nation has the moral right to use religion or human rights as a pretext to bully others.
“China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs,” Mao Ning said. “We reject all threats of sanctions or military coercion. Nigeria is our comprehensive strategic partner and a respected member of the international community.”
The strong diplomatic statement follows days of rising tensions between Abuja and Washington, after President Trump’s controversial designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged killings of Christians in northern Nigeria. Trump warned that “continued persecution” could prompt direct U.S. intervention — a statement that rattled markets and briefly caused a ₦244.9 billion loss on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) last week.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly rejected the claims, describing them as “ill-informed, reckless, and disconnected from the realities of the Nigerian situation.” Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that President Tinubu “remains committed to religious freedom, national unity, and the fight against terrorism without external interference.”
China’s support signals deepening ties
Beijing’s swift defense of Nigeria underscores the growing strategic partnership between both nations. Over the past decade, China has invested heavily in Nigeria’s infrastructure — from railways and power projects to agriculture and mining — and has become Nigeria’s top bilateral lender and one of its largest trading partners.
Analysts say China’s statement is not just about defending Nigeria, but about defending its own principle of non-interference, a cornerstone of Beijing’s diplomacy. It also marks another episode in the growing U.S.–China rivalry for influence across Africa, where Nigeria remains a critical player due to its vast population, resources, and geopolitical weight.
“China’s message is clear — Africa must not be bullied under any guise,” said Dr. Abubakar Danladi, an international relations scholar . “This is Beijing drawing a red line against American moral diplomacy and signaling to the world that Nigeria has powerful friends.”
France’s calculated silence
While China’s statement has drawn global attention, France — one of Nigeria’s closest European partners — has remained conspicuously silent. Despite President Tinubu’s multiple visits to Paris since assuming office, the French government has not issued any public comment on the U.S. threat or the CPC designation.
President Tinubu has reportedly visited France at least five times since his inauguration in May 2023, including working visits and economic meetings in Paris. These trips have fueled speculation about the depth of Franco-Nigerian relations, especially amid Nigeria’s recent pivot toward the East.
Observers note that France’s silence may be strategic. Paris, which has been losing influence in Francophone West Africa following military coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, appears reluctant to confront Washington publicly — particularly at a time when its military and diplomatic posture in the Sahel is under strain.
“France is walking a tightrope,” said political commentator Ifeanyi Ogbodo. “Paris doesn’t want to antagonize the United States, its key NATO ally, but it also doesn’t want to alienate Nigeria — the region’s largest economy and a potential alternative anchor for its African engagement.”
Nigeria’s balancing act
The current diplomatic storm puts Nigeria at the crossroads of global rivalry. On one hand, the U.S. remains a vital security and trade partner; on the other, China continues to strengthen its economic and infrastructural footprint.
Analysts believe Nigeria may now deepen its alignment with China and other BRICS partners as a counterweight to Western pressure. Beijing’s explicit backing could embolden President Tinubu to assert greater independence in foreign policy — a posture many say would mirror former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cautious but firm stance on sovereignty.
For now, the Tinubu administration has maintained a calm but defiant tone. “Nigeria is a sovereign nation,” Onanuga reiterated. “We welcome partnerships, not paternalism.”
As the world watches, China’s bold defense and France’s calculated silence reveal the new fault lines shaping Africa’s geopolitical future — where Nigeria’s sovereignty has become both a test of principle and a prize of influence.