Trump made the remarks during the annual faith-based gathering, which brought together political and civic leaders from around the world.
Former Nigerian presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has described the United States President Donald Trump as a hypocrite following his public praise of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
Trump made the remarks during the annual faith-based gathering, which brought together political and civic leaders from around the world.
He commended Mrs Tinubu as a “very respected woman” and recognised her role as a Christian pastor at one of Nigeria’s largest churches, drawing applause from the audience.
In a social media post on Friday, Sowore criticised Trump’s remarks, highlighting what he described as inconsistencies in the president’s public use of religion.
He stated: “Oh I heard it, it is exactly the kind of shameless hypocrisy that defines global American politics today.”
Sowore further explained his position, noting that Trump prioritises money over faith and uses religion as a tool in political messaging.
“Donald J. Trump praising ‘singing’ Remi Tinubu at his Washington DC prayer breakfast is not faith, Trump has no faith in anything but the power of money,” Sowore wrote.
“Trump and his business neocons scream ‘Christian genocide!’ for propaganda purposes, but the moment money changes hands, the ‘perpetrators’ suddenly become VIP guests receiving standing ovations.”
He concluded by emphasising what he described as a broader pattern: “That’s the power of fraudsters, they weaponise religion when it helps them, then auction the same religion to the highest bidder.”
During his address at the event, Trump acknowledged Mrs Tinubu, stating: “We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria, a very respected woman. Thank you very much, it’s a great honour, a very respected person too.”
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual February event that convenes members of the U.S. Congress, religious leaders, policymakers, and international guests for prayers and reflections on leadership, governance, and national values.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has recently come under scrutiny for spending millions of dollars on U.S. lobbying firms to counter allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Reports show that the administration approved contracts worth up to $9 million with American lobbyists to influence U.S. lawmakers and policymakers, particularly amid pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration and congressional hearings on religious freedom.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu reportedly signed an agreement in December 2025 with the U.S. lobbying firm DCI, valued at $750,000 per month, to lobby the Trump administration.
In addition, the Nigerian government approved a $9 million contract with another U.S.-based firm to challenge what it described as a “distorted narrative” portraying Nigeria as a centre of religious persecution.
Also, Nigerian billionaire Matthew Tonlagha also signed a separate contract with the lobbying firm Valcour, aimed at improving Abuja’s relations with Washington.
The lobbying efforts come as U.S. Congress has opened hearings into allegations of widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria, with lawmakers warning that failure to address the crisis could deepen religious divisions.
WATCH: Sowore Condemns Trump As ‘Shameless Hypocrite’ For Praising Nigeria’s First Lady Remi Tinubu Amid Lobbying Controversy pic.twitter.com/TuhRgK1CSy
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 6, 2026