Nigeria’s sovereign bonds slipped on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military intervention unless Abuja took steps to protect Christians. Longer-term bonds led the decline, with the 2051 issue dropping about half a cent to trade just below 92 cents on the dollar. The movement contrasted with steady trading across most emerging markets, underscoring investor unease over Trump’s remarks.
In a statement on Sunday, Trump warned that the United States could deploy troops or conduct air strikes in Nigeria. He accused the West African nation of failing to stop what he described as widespread killings of Christians. The comments injected fresh volatility into Nigerian markets, already strained by high inflation and security concerns. Analysts said any sign of U.S. intervention could unsettle investors further and complicate Nigeria’s relations with Washington.
Nigeria has long grappled with sectarian violence, much of it concentrated in the country’s volatile Middle Belt region. Previous administrations have faced criticism for their handling of clashes between Christian farming communities and Muslim herders. While the Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response, political observers said the threat marks an unusual escalation in U.S. rhetoric toward an African partner.
