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Russia Sends warning To US Over Trump’s remarks on Nigeria
Russia has expressed concern over recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting possible American military intervention in Nigeria, saying it is “closely monitoring” the political situation in the West African country.
During a campaign rally on November 1, 2025, President Trump claimed he had instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare “options for action” in Nigeria to “protect Christian communities,” alleging widespread persecution, a statement that triggered global diplomatic reactions.
In a statement issued in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged the United States to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and adhere to international law.
“Russia is closely following developments in Nigeria and calls on the United States to refrain from any steps that could escalate tensions,” Zakharova said. “Such statements are unconstructive and potentially destabilising. Any unilateral military intervention in a sovereign African nation would represent a grave violation of the United Nations Charter.”
She added that Moscow “reaffirms its commitment to the principles of non-interference” and encourages all parties to prioritise dialogue, cooperation, and respect for Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The Nigerian government swiftly dismissed Trump’s allegations of religious persecution, emphasising that security challenges in the country affect Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. Officials confirmed that diplomatic consultations were ongoing with Washington to clarify the U.S. president’s remarks.
It would be recalled that China cautioned against foreign interference, urging that Nigeria’s internal affairs be handled domestically and through regional frameworks such as ECOWAS and the African Union.
Political analysts say Moscow’s quick reaction reflects its increasing strategic interest in Africa and its desire to counterbalance American influence on the continent.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and one of its top oil producers, has become a central focus in this evolving geopolitical rivalry.
Meanwhile, Trump’s remarks have been widely criticised by human rights groups and religious leaders, who accused him of using Nigeria’s complex security issues to advance his political agenda.
Observers warn that heightened rhetoric from global powers could strain Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and complicate its existing security partnerships with Western allies.
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Breaking: Nigerian Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage, FG Faces Fresh Salary Pressure
The Federal Workers Forum, FWF, has demanded an immediate increase in the federal minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000, noting that the current salary structure can no longer sustain civil servants amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
The Forum made the demand in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly, with the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation listed among the recipients.
The workers also proposed a new salary structure that would place the highest-paid Level 17 officer on a monthly salary of N1.5 million, while Level 1 Step 1 workers would earn N300,000.
“We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for the Level 17 officers,” the Forum said.
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The FWF argued that the Federal Government had not fully implemented the 2024 minimum wage agreement, claiming that federal workers had yet to receive the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances.
“It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024. We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage,” it said.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in August 2026, demanded an upward review of the minimum wage to N500,000.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu’s government increased the minimum wage to N70,000 per month from N30,000.
However, the cost of living for many Nigerians has tripled between 2024 and 2026.
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The Federal Government has said Nigeria will never support a military coup or any unconstitutional change of government, following claims that the country backed a failed coup attempt in the Niger Republic.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, the claims circulating on social media are baseless and misleading.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained committed to democracy, constitutional rule and political stability in West Africa and would not support any attempt to remove a government through unconstitutional means.
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“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.
The minister also rejected claims that Nigeria, through its membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), supported or endorsed the military takeover in Niger.
He said the Federal Government had already stated its position on the situation in Niger in an earlier statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2026.
According to him, Nigeria remains deeply concerned about developments in Niger and wants the country to return peacefully to stability and constitutional order.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace and stability in the neighbouring country particularly important.
“Nigerians at home and abroad should disregard the videos and narratives circulating online, they are intended to create confusion and tarnish Nigeria’s image,” the statement said.
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