The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has condemned recent comments by United States President Donald Trump concerning Nigeria’s internal affairs, describing them as inaccurate, sensational, and disrespectful to the country’s sovereignty.
In a statement on Tuesday by its Executive Director, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, CEFSAN said Trump’s remarks reflect a longstanding pattern of foreign oversimplification and interference in African issues, likening it to historical neo-imperialist posturing that the continent has rejected for generations.
CEFSAN noted that principles of sovereignty and non-interference are firmly entrenched in African governance structures, citing Articles 4(b), 4(g), and 3(e) of the African Union’s Constitutive Act, which uphold sovereign equality, prohibit external meddling, and promote peace and stability through cooperation.
The NGO argued that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and rooted in socio-economic and historical realities, not the “simplistic narratives crafted for foreign political audiences.”
It stressed that Nigeria possesses the institutions, civic networks, and peace-building mechanisms necessary to address its own internal issues without foreign distortion.
“Nigeria is not a subject of foreign commentary but a sovereign nation, protected by continental norms and the sacrifices of its own people,” the statement read.
The group urged Trump and other global figures to respect established African Union standards and avoid rhetoric that inflames tensions or perpetuates outdated imperialist attitudes.
CEFSAN invoked the legacy of Pan-African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Nnamdi Azikiwe in reaffirming Africa’s long-standing commitment to autonomy and self-determination.
However, the organisation also noted that the Nigerian government has fallen short in fulfilling its responsibility to protect citizens, citing persistent insecurity and slow responses to violence.
CEFSAN called on authorities to urgently strengthen security institutions, improve early warning systems, increase transparency, and collaborate with stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
While holding the government accountable, CEFSAN insisted that these shortcomings do not give foreign politicians moral authority to define Nigeria’s challenges or use its internal issues for political gain.
Nigeria, the group emphasized, will continue to determine its own course, expecting external partners to engage with humility, factual responsibility, and respect for sovereign equality.
