Averting Conflict and Advancing Democracy: The Urgent Need to Support Nigeria’s Democratic Renewal and Infuse Humane Stability to advance a Nation Burdened by Severe Hardship

Dear President Trump,

I write to you with a profound sense of responsibility and urgency. While recent commentary has described Nigeria as being in crisis, the reality is that the country’s challenges are not of faith, but of governance, justice, and humanity itself. Christians, Muslims, and citizens of all backgrounds are daily subjected to violence, deprivation, and systemic neglect. Endowed with vibrant human capital, accomplished and dignified visionary leaders, and a rich cultural heritage, Nigeria’s promise has, for decades, been restrained by entrenched kleptocracy.

This failure, which you noted has “disgraced” the country, has undermined institutions and distorted democratic processes.

Nigeria and the United States share a commitment to democracy, human dignity, and global stability. Our collaboration has long been rooted in respect, and it is in this spirit of genuine friendship that I write to you today.

Globally recognized data highlights the scale of the challenges resulting from these governance failures:

• Over 150 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, a reflection of systemic mismanagement and deprivation. (World Poverty Clock)
• Nigeria generates less than 4,500 megawatts of electricity for over 200 million people—less than what New York City alone provides for 8 million residents.
• More than 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, the highest number globally, while national education budgets remain far below UNESCO’s recommended levels.

Nigeria today faces a deeply serious crisis in which democratic processes have been violently hijacked, dissent is criminalized, and the will of the people is brutally suppressed, resulting in unspeakable hardship, widespread poverty, and countless untimely deaths. What Nigeria certainly does not need is further conflict, international suppression or to be taken advantage of. What Nigeria needs is explicitly visionary leadership.

The challenges listed above only scratch the surface, and I will refrain from detailing more, recognizing that every nation faces its own hardships, and you are focused on yours. External support should be alleviatory, not compounding. No nation today should be subjected to further wars, regressive external interference, or torment. What matters most is that Nigerians are undeserving of additional suffering, and national resilience must be met with principled support, not further adversity, of faith-based rhetoric or otherwise.

The greatest contribution the United States and all global allies can make at this pivotal moment is to support the genuine democratic emergence of visionary, credible and people-centered Nigerian leaders; not the preservation of a kleptocratic status quo that has entrenched poverty, division, and despair. True partnership must empower integrity and merit, not those who have rigged themselves into power through corruption and coercion. Only through principled engagement and unwavering support for democracy can Nigeria’s citizens rebuild their nation in peace and dignity, free from the devastation of renewed conflict.

As US Citizen Tigran Gambaryan recently observed during his lengthened incarceration in Nigeria: “Nigeria is currently run by a lawless regime that relies on criminals and thugs more interested in enriching themselves than in taking care of citizens.”

Urgent action, for Christians and all Nigerians, should focus on powerful collaborations with reform-minded leaders who will restore institutions and create inclusive opportunities for all citizens. I look forward to continued dialogue, principled engagement and the opportunity to meet with you soon.

With deepest respect and an unwavering commitment to humanity,

Princess Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru

President |Entrepreneur | Public Leader