An Islamic organization in Nigeria, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), has dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the country is experiencing a religious war, insisting that Nigeria’s current security challenges are not faith-based but rooted in ethnic, economic, and occupational issues.
The statement came from Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President of MUSWEN and Deputy General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for the South, during the 10th General Assembly of the group. Speaking to journalists, Oladejo emphasized Nigeria’s resilience in overcoming crises, recalling the country’s historic victory in the Civil War.
“If Nigeria could overcome the Civil War, we will surely overcome the current security challenges,” Oladejo said. He stressed that the country should not be mischaracterized by foreign interpretations, particularly those framing conflicts as religious in nature.
Oladejo further highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, pointing to its contributions to the liberation of several African nations, including the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. “It was not America that solved those problems, but Nigeria that was at the forefront of those struggles,” he said.
On the current fight against insurgency and banditry, Oladejo expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to triumph. “Since we have been fighting against banditry and insurgency, we have been fighting them ourselves, and we are winning. We shall win this current war too, eventually. Whether America assists us or not, we will win,” he stated.
He described the tagging of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by Trump as “unfortunate and misplaced,” especially at a time when the country is regaining credibility after years of insecurity, corruption scandals, and erosion of its global image. Oladejo insisted that there is no genocide against any particular religion, noting that both Christianity and Islam suffer equally from attacks by bandits and insurgents.
Oladejo also urged the Nigerian Federal Government to focus on internal solutions to curb the country’s security challenges, rather than relying on external intervention. He praised President Bola Tinubu for stabilizing the economy through bold economic reforms, which have attracted unprecedented global investment.
In addition to addressing security and economic issues, MUSWEN announced plans to raise N2 billion during the assembly, aimed at supporting youth and women empowerment initiatives and constructing a new secretariat in Ibadan.
Nigeria, according to Oladejo, remains a strong and resilient nation capable of facing its challenges head-on, without being defined by external mischaracterizations or misconceptions.