₦airaland Forum

• US President acknowledges Nigeria’s First Lady at America’s prayer meeting

• Says his administration hitting terrorists very hard

In

renewed diplomacy between Nigeria and the United States, President Bola Tinubu yesterday played a deft soft-power card, leveraging First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s faith profile at a sensitive moment in bilateral relations between both nations to reopen warmth with the Donald Trump-led administration.

Oluremi’s appearance at the 2026 annual US National Prayer Breakfast came against the backdrop of a recent diplomatic spat that appeared to have cooled engagement between Abuja and Washington, THISDAY recalls.

However, the calculation seemed to have paid off publicly when Trump singled out Mrs Tinubu in the congregation, acknowledging her presence and offering unusually warm remarks, signalling renewed receptiveness after months of aggressive rhetoric against Nigeria and sent a clear message that Nigeria was, perhaps, back in positive view.

Specifically, the US President, Trump, specially acknowledged the presence of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi, at the 74th edition of the programme, describing her as a respected figure and noting her role as a Christian pastor in the ‘largest church’ in Nigeria.

But like everything Trump, there is a risk. How sustainable is this new found receptiveness? Trump is mercurial and can easily change his mind.

Trump also stated that US forces, in collaboration with their Nigerian counterparts are conducting operations in Nigeria to protect Christians from being slaughtered, reiterating the significance of the Christmas day air strikes on terrorists in Africa’s most populous nation.

“But we’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. A very respected woman. First Lady, please, where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too,” Trump stated.

Besides, the US President stated that he had been working tirelessly to end dangerous conflicts in Nigeria and other countries and help move past what he described as ‘ancient hatreds’ against the Christian faith.

“We are hitting very hard (in Nigeria). My administration is confronting head-on the militants and really intolerant campaign that tried to drive religious believers out of public life and out of society. I mean, now religious leaders are respected as much or more as any leader of any type anywhere in the world. Religious leaders are respected again, and that’s the way we have to have it.

“They really are respected again. They were having a hard time. They were having a very hard time. The last four years previous to the one that we served, the last four years were brutal on religious leaders. They were brave. Some were very brave. Some couldn’t take it, and a lot of people understand that. Some were brave, really brave,” he added.

Trump boasted that no administration in modern history has done more to confront what he termed the plight of persecuted Christians around the world than his, describing it as a mission.

“On Christmas Day, in close coordination with the government of Nigeria, we worked with them, but they have got to get tougher. I ordered powerful airstrikes to decimate the ISIS terrorists who have been slaughtering Christians in that country by the thousands. It’s not even believable. We hit them so hard, they still don’t know what the hell happened.

“And we were going to do it on a different day. I said, no, do it on Christmas, so they understand it. When I ran in 2015, I announced that we were going to bring back Christmas because the word Christmas was almost gone, and people weren’t using Christmas anymore.

“We brought back the word Christmas. They didn’t want to use it, and we’re using it again. But I specifically told Pete (US Secretary of War), I said, hit them on Christmas Day. Not earlier and not later. Right, Pete? And man, did he hit them. So then we hit them again recently. We hit them again pretty hard.”

Although the Bible says that “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” Trump maintained that this can only be achieved through the exertion of strength, pointing out that he had ended at least eight wars in one year.

Established in 1953, the National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event that brings together political leaders, faith leaders, and dignitaries from across the world for prayers and reflection in the US.

In the last few months, both countries have formally moved past earlier tensions linked to security and governance concerns. Following sustained high-level dialogue, Nigeria has made sustained diplomatic moves to resolve the misunderstanding between both countries and put them on a more stable footing.

In recent times, security cooperation has deepened, with the US reiterating its support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism and regional stability efforts, amid expanded intelligence sharing, advisory support, and more responsive engagement on Nigeria’s security requests. This has been further enhanced with the setting up of a bilateral committee to thrash out outstanding issues.

At the political level, regular exchanges between senior Nigerian officials, US diplomats, and legislators have resumed, with a focus on democratic governance, economic cooperation, and Nigeria’s regional leadership.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/02/06/diplomacy-tinubu-plays-the-remi-card-on-trump-christian-pastor-soft-power/

All yours jubilations are being noted !

You don’t rejoice over a mere acknowledgement which is what it should be..
After all, Trump equally acknowledged Buhari as the best president in Africa, even left his chair for him to sit which he hardly does to other presidents, only to turn around to call him names like lifeless fellow, whom he doesn’t want to set his eyes on ever again few days after he left..

Infact, smart people are more careful when Trump starts giving them praises, unfortunately many Nigerians don’t see beyond their nose.. lol..

But wait oo, so Trump no more a racist and a hater according to Tinubu supporters, why sudden U turn ?

Unstable people!

Political cards played to mislead Mr Donald Trump. Our president visited Turkey who is the major supplier of ammunition to the terrorists. Most of the people working in the security department of this country are either Boko Haram sympathizers or supporters of Myeti Allah terrorists. Christians should speak up.

What 9 million dollars lobbying money cannot do does not exist.

I was expecting you people to say that Tinubu bribed Trump or to say Trump is afraid of EFCC. Some of you can ignorantly say what happened was AI generated since many of you believed in the theory of Jubril of sudan

Trump likes women too much, especially the slim and fair ones, whether they are young or old.
Them don use Tiefnibu wife set trap for am, it must catch Trump.

Mugu

The lords will shall surely prevail

Trump should be wise enough to know that Tinubu aka Amoda Yekini is a fraudster and drug criminal. His whole life is shrouded in secrecy and deceit.

The master strategist got one over IPOB again. He used Obi as vehicle to get power, now using their lobbyists in BRGIE to foster stronger ties with the US
No single shit thrown at him has stuck, I doff my hat for you sir. EponObi, permit me to use this photo of Trump eating our agbado after throwing away the plate of akpu our brothers offered him

Tinubu is a master strategist!

You have to give it to him!!!


If na ‘Yes daddy’ he would have gladly saluted USA army and left Aso rock for them 😂😂😂

Obiedun:
I was expecting you people to say that Tinubu bribed Trump or to say Trump is afraid of EFCC. Some of you can ignorantly say what happened was AI generated since many of you believed in the theory of Jubril of sudan

Have they paid January 30k stipend? I've been trying to contact admin for mine.

Agulu Fraud will smuggle himself to next Breakfast Prayer meeting and he will be bounced as it was done to him at VATICAN

God Bless First Lady Remi Tinubu
God Bless President Bola Tinubu
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria

Playing the ostrich does not hide reality. The serious issue of Christian genocide can't be swept under the carpet.

CyynthiaKiss:
All yours jubilations are being noted !

You don’t rejoice over a mere acknowledgement which is what it should be..
After all, Trump equally acknowledged Buhari as the best president in Africa, even left his chair for him to sit which he hardly does to other presidents, only to turn around to call him names like lifeless fellow, whom he doesn’t want to set his eyes on ever again few days after he left..

Infact, smart people are more careful when Trump starts giving them praises, unfortunately many Nigerians don’t see beyond their nose.. lol..

But wait oo, so Trump no more a racist and a hater according to Tinubu supporters, why sudden U turn ?

Unstable people!

I was expecting you to say that Trump was bribed by Tinubu. You can as well say that Trump is afraid of EFCC. It's not unusual if you say what happened was AI generated or it was a mere audio.

Nigerian like chochocho someone cannot attend Christian Prayer meeting in peace without people reading meaning to it.. like it's her first time attending prayer meeting.. rather than acknowledged she is a pillar for her husband .

Obiedun:
I was expecting you people to say that Tinubu bribed Trump or to say Trump is afraid of EFCC.

Some of you can ignorantly say what happened was AI generated since many of you believed in the theory of Jubril of sudan

No need for any of these theories.

Ṣebi the woman and her Jagaban of Borgu husband are the ones who invited Trump to violate Nigerian 🇳🇬 sovereignty, killing innocent northerners while claiming to look for Muslim terrorists accused of committing genocide against Christians

Remi should not downplay the Christian genocide because all blood of the innocent will be on her head

I will follow PBAT to Washington next week. Watch out

Yui

CyynthiaKiss:
All yours jubilations are being noted !

You don’t rejoice over a mere acknowledgement which is what it should be..
After all, Trump equally acknowledged Buhari as the best president in Africa, even left his chair for him to sit which he hardly does to other presidents, only to turn around to call him names like lifeless fellow, whom he doesn’t want to set his eyes on ever again few days after he left..

Infact, smart people are more careful when Trump starts giving them praises, unfortunately many Nigerians don’t see beyond their nose.. lol..

But wait oo, so Trump no more a racist and a hater according to Tinubu supporters, why sudden U turn ?

Unstable people!

May be you should look again ... Nigerians are taking the news with a pinch of salt

Nigerian know whatever played out was part of the $9m lobby Tinubu paid to get publicity from Trump .. after 3yrs Trump suddenly know Remi Tinubu is a xtain n attend biggiest church, We hear we thank god nonii

Okay. That’s a good one coming from the POTUS

AderonkeOlaniyi:
Have they paid January 30k stipend? I've been trying to contact admin for mine.

You are wrong. Since 2023 you have been talking about 30k and this 2026 still talking of 30k. Can that feed your family?
Many of you are too cheap and believe that everyone is as cheap as they are. Many of you are so money mongered to the extent that they can do anything because of money.
I hope I have spoken sense to your head.

Tinubu na unna papa mate?


Btw, where is that fraudster called Obi that tagged Nigeria a disgraced country yet wants to be the vice president under Atiku! Shameless goat!

With all humility before God Almighty

That is what is called " Sagacity"

Obiedun:
You are wrong. Since 2023 you have been talking about 30k and this 2026 still talking of 30k. Can that feed your family?
Many of you are too cheap and believe that everyone is as cheap as they are. Many of you are so money mongered to the extent that they can do anything because of money.
I hope I have spoken sense to your head.

Go and sit somewhere fast! You can't be more expensive than 30k. Who dash monkey banana?

anonimi:
No need for any of these theories.

Ṣebi the woman and her Jagaban of Borgu husband are the ones who invited Trump to violate Nigerian 🇳🇬 sovereignty, killing innocent northerners while claiming to look for Muslim terrorists accused of committing genocide against Christians

There's a need for those theories because that is the only ways you can think. You believe everyone is like you. If you can believe in the theory of jubril of Sudan, what thing is difficult for you to believe

This is a mere acknowledgement.

It is a political diplomacy. You acknowledge heads of states or their wives or their representatives.

AderonkeOlaniyi:
Trump should be wise enough to know that Tinubu aka Amoda Yekini is a fraudster and drug criminal. His whole life is shrouded in secrecy and deceit.

Trump can see through the deceit already, he is a wise man

AderonkeOlaniyi:
Go and sit somewhere fast! You can't be more expensive than 30k. Who dash monkey banana?

I have said it. You are cheap has no value. If you people have been accusing me of collecting 30k in 2023, common sense you tell you it cannot be 30k today. But then since you are still collecting money from your parents,30k is a huge amount of money.

Obiedun:
I have said it. You are cheap has no value. If you people have been accusing me of collecting 30k in 2023, common sense you tell you it cannot be 30k today. But then since you are still collecting money from your parents,30k is a huge amount of money.

Person wey dey stay one room apartment for Osogbo still wan talk?

All Trump need is for you to praise him, he will like you. Such a fake egomaniac.

AderonkeOlaniyi:
Person wey dey stay one room apartment for Osogbo still wan talk?

That is part of your problem. A person selling chewing sticks along Oshodi Apapa Express Road is talking here. For your information I am an employer of labour. I employ people like you but with this your reasoning you are not employable.