By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has publicly applauded U.S. military airstrikes conducted on Christmas Day against terrorist targets in northern Nigeria, calling the operation a “blessing” and expressing eagerness for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and the United States on counter-terrorism efforts.
In an interview with Fox News during her visit to the United States, the first lady said the strikes ordered by former U.S. President Donald Trump were a positive development in the fight against extremist groups that have for years terrorised communities in the country. She said Nigeria “is looking forward to collaboration” and hopes that there will be “more” such actions in the future.
The strikes, which took place on December 25, 2025, marked the first known direct kinetic action by American forces on Nigerian soil against Islamist militants after Trump labelled the assault as targeting those responsible for attacks on Christians and other civilians.
Trump described the operation as a necessary response to persistent killing of civilians by groups like Islamic State affiliates in northwestern Nigeria.
Remi’s comments diverge from criticism by some local scholars and civil society actors who have criticised the Tinubu presidency for not fully explaining the Christmas Day bombings to Nigerians or taking accountability as commander-in-chief.
The First Lady’s embrace of foreign military support reflects ongoing discussions within Nigeria about the best strategies to combat insurgency and banditry.
