Gbenga Ogunjimi, executive director of the Nigerian Center in Washington DC, United States (US) has argued that the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) by Donald Trump should be treated as a tool for accountability and reform, and not a punishment.
He alongside a coalition of leading Nigerian-American organisations, also noted that the diaspora is ready to act as a bridge between the two nations while
recommending structured dialogue, collaboration and humanitarian assistance.
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He spoke during an online media briefing organised by the Centre and moderated by Nkechi Ilechi, policy director at the Center.
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The designation by Trump which was announced on October 31, has drawn concern from diaspora leaders who fear its potential impact on Nigeria, the Nigerian-American community, and the strategic US-Nigeria partnership.
The coalition stressed that the long-standing strategic relationship between the two nations should not be overlooked.
Nigeria as a strategic asset, not a burden
Ogunjimi, provided compelling reasons for the U.S. to reconsider the scope of the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation, emphasising Nigeria’s crucial role as a strategic ally.
“Nigeria is one of the United States’ most important strategic partners on the African continent,” Ogunjimi stated.
“United States remains the largest investor, foreign investor in Nigeria. Nigeria is the largest Black majority democracy in the world.”
He detailed Nigeria’s significance to the American domestic landscape, noting, “Among Black Americans, Afro-Latinos, Nigeria represents the largest ancestry source for the global African diaspora in the United States.
He also highlighted the Nigerian community’s success in the U.S: “Nigeria leads in high-skilled visa holders, academic excellence, healthcare entrepreneurship in the United States.”
Ogunjimi therefore asserted “A stable, peaceful, prosperous Nigeria is an American’s national interest..Nigeria is not a burden. It is an asset, a strategic asset to the United States.”
Three key recommendations for the path forward
The coalition at the Nigerian Centre then offered three key recommendations for both governments, shifting the focus from punishment to constructive engagement.
Mechanism for accountability (US government)
Ogunjimi urged that the CPC designation should be used as intended, not as a punitive measure against the Nigerian people but as a “mechanism for accountability, constructive engagement, and to encourage policy reform in Nigeria.”
Humanitarian Protection (US Government)
He stressed the “moral and economic implications” of the designation. Noting that the main perpetrators of terror have displaced millions and created the conditions that meet the criteria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
“In 2023, the Nigerian Center led a coalition of organisations urging the United States government to grant TPS to Nigerians residing in the United States.”
Ogunjimi recalled that the previous administration extended similar humanitarian relief to nationals of South Sudan and Cameroon, who face similar conflicts.
“We call on the Trump administration to suspend all deportations to Nigeria and to prioritise humanitarian protections during these critical times,” he appealed.
Strengthening governance
Addressing the Nigerian government, Ogunjimi acknowledged, “The complex challenges Nigeria faces which are insecurity, terrorism, and threats to religious freedom, did not begin today or this current administration that didn’t create them.” However, he added, they “have the responsibility to do more.
Protect human rights, strengthen institutions.”
He also specifically recommended establishing a National Security Council, which should comprise of representatives from affected communities, civil society, governmental agency, and non-governmental organisations, would provide real-time data and policy input to improve Nigeria’s security response.
This initiative, he argued, would signal an overdue commitment to collaboration and demonstrate the openness, inclusivity, and transparency often seen missing in previous efforts.
Bukola Olaoye, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDOA), warned of potential diplomatic and security setbacks.
“A deteriorating security perception can definitely complicate the diplomatic relationships that the U.S. has with Nigeria,” Olaoye cautioned. He added that the designation could affect counterterrorism collaboration that is had with West Africa,” given Nigeria’s central role in the region.
Prince Maduka Nkuku, President of the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), expressed deep concern over proposed punitive measures.
“While we unequivocally condemn all violence and tragic loss of life in Nigeria, we believe the proposed remedies of military force and blanket sanctions represent a fundamental misdiagnosis of the situation.”
Reframing the conflict and causes of violence
A central theme of the briefing was the need to establish a more accurate, nuanced understanding of the conflict, rejecting what was termed a simplistic narrative.
Dr. Susan Edi-Onwe, president of the Nigerian Physicians Advocacy Group (NPAG), stressed the complexity of the violence, arguing that sanctions alone “will handicap Nigeria’s ability to address the true structural factors driving the violence.”
She outlined four key factors driving the conflict which are religious violence, herdsmen-farmer crises, criminal gangs and terrorist groups and socioeconomic factors driving criminality.
Recommendations for dialogue and humanitarian action
Edi-Onwe called on the US to adhere to the findings of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, which found that “CPC designation with sanctions alone… is a failing strategy.”
“The report recommends bilateral religious freedom agreements, and these have been minimally utilised in the past, which explains why CPC designation with sanctions alone has proven to be ineffective,” she noted.
Recommendations for the Nigerian government
Ogunjimi acknowledged that the challenges Nigeria faces are complex, but stressed the current administration’s responsibility to act.
“These challenges did not begin today or this current administration that didn’t create them. However, they have the responsibility to do more,” he stated.
The Nigerian Center recommended the establishment of a National Security Council comprising representatives from “affected communities, civil society, governmental agency, and non-governmental organisations” to provide real-time data and policy input for security reform.
Olaoye called for a “structured U.S.-Nigeria freedom and security working group that includes diaspora representation” to increase transparency and intelligence sharing.
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The role of the diaspora
Edi-Onwe affirmed the readiness for both countries to serve as trusted intermediaries
“We’re both American and Nigerian, and we have direct access to leadership and stakeholders on both sides of this issue. The Nigerian diaspora must be a key part of the conversation going forward.”
