Nigerian Government Begins Training For 50 Lawmakers On ‘How To Negotiate With US’ Amid Rising Insecurity
The Nigerian Ministry of Finance has issued an official circular inviting 50 lawmakers to a two-day “High-Level Policy Training on American Foreign Policy Under the Donald Trump’s Administration.”
The invitation, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and signed by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, immediately sparked outrage, SaharaReporters, which obtained a copy of the invitation, learnt.
One of the critics said, “These people aren’t serious. Instead of dealing with the insecurity issues, they are training senators…on how to negotiate with America.”
The circular, dated November 17, 2025, and marked Ref: FMF/HMS/CORRS/01/VOL.1/112, confirms that “all necessary arrangements have been concluded” for the training scheduled for Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November 2025 at the National Assembly Complex.
According to the ministry, the programme is expected to help lawmakers navigate “American Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration: New Realities for African Negotiators.”
It further states that the training is intended to strengthen lawmakers’ engagement with members of the U.S. Congress and improve understanding of “the structures, processes, and operational culture of the American legislative system.”
The ministry said it had designed the programme to support 50 Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, urging the Senate President to confirm attendance and submit nominations so the Secretariat can “conclude the necessary logistics arrangements.”
The letter reads: “Further to our earlier discussion regarding the organisation of a High-Level Policy Training on American Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration: New Realities for African Negotiators, I am pleased to formally inform you that all necessary arrangements have been concluded. The training is scheduled to hold on Friday, 21st November, and Saturday, 22nd November 2025. Please find attached the detailed curriculum for your kind consideration.
“This training is designed to support 50 Members of the National Assembly in navigating emerging global dynamics, strengthening engagement and collaboration with Members of the United States Congress and American Government at large, and deepening their understanding of the structures, processes, and operational culture of the American legislative system.”
This is coming as at the time Nigeria is facing growing terror attacks in religious places and schools nationwide.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume had also claimed that recent public statements by United States President Donald Trump emboldened violent networks across Nigeria, giving extremist groups a fresh international narrative to justify attacks on vulnerable communities.
Akume, in a statement issued Wednesday, had linked the spike in propaganda by terror cells, bandit groups and extremist actors to what he described as the “inadvertent” impact of Trump’s comments on Nigeria’s security landscape.
His remarks follow Trump’s October 31 declaration where the American President designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged Christian genocide, and further warned that he might deploy U.S. troops to Nigeria if such killings continued.
Trump also revealed that he had instructed America’s military establishment, saying he had directed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action” should the violence persist. The U.S. President equally threatened to suspend Washington’s assistance if the Tinubu administration failed to halt the alleged persecution.
Akume said Trump’s posture had become a rallying signal for groups seeking legitimacy, allowing violent actors to latch onto external rhetoric to intensify internal conflicts.
According to Akume, insurgency networks had previously been significantly weakened and reduced to isolated banditry before the statements.
He said some groups were now attempting to leverage those remarks to gain visibility.
The statement partly read, “Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets.
“Before these statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry. This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration—not public labeling—between Nigeria and the United States.”
Akume had reaffirmed the government’s position that Nigeria does not require foreign troops, noting that the Nigerian Armed Forces have reclaimed territories and degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP structures.
He said the country instead needs targeted support from partners, especially in intelligence, technology and equipment.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces are highly capable, experienced and professional. They have reclaimed vast territories, degraded Boko Haram/ISWAP leadership structures, and conducted successful multi-theatre operations.”
But with ongoing terror attacks in the North-East and more in Kaduna, Kwara and Kogi states, Akume’s statement only exposes the ineptitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government, rather than concrete plans to end insecurity.
