APC‑USA Chair urges U.S. to prioritize partnership over sanctions on Nigeria

The chair of the United States chapter of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Tai Balofin, has called on U.S. lawmakers to adopt a cooperative approach in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, warning that sanctions could do more harm than good.

Speaking ahead of a planned testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Balofin emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria stems from a combination of banditry, communal conflicts, climate pressures, and transnational crime, rather than solely religious persecution.

“The insecurity in Nigeria is driven by banditry, resource conflict, climate pressures and transnational crime ,not solely by religious persecution,” Balofin said, urging a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Balofin’s intervention comes amid discussions over the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a move that could pave the way for punitive measures. He warned that sanctions could undermine progress made in combating insecurity and strain the U.S. Nigeria relationship.

Instead, he proposed closer collaboration between the two countries, including intelligence sharing, joint counterterrorism operations, and humanitarian support. The APC‑USA delegation intends to present detailed data and firsthand information during its congressional testimony to address perceived misconceptions about Nigeria’s security situation.

Balofin also highlighted recent improvements in Nigeria’s security landscape under President Bola Tinubu, including degradation of terrorist networks, better early warning systems, and enhanced interfaith engagement.

The CPC designation has been controversial in U.S. political circles, with some advocating sanctions to pressure Nigeria on human rights concerns, while others argue that punitive measures could hinder diplomatic and security cooperation.

Balofin urged Washington to support “shared goals” such as stability and social development, rather than imposing measures that may inadvertently harm ordinary Nigerians. His appeal underscores a push for constructive engagement over confrontation, potentially reshaping U.S. Nigeria relations in the security domain.