“Thank You, Trump, for the Unexploded Grenade — Let’s Defuse It Before It Blows,” Bishop Kukah Warns Nigeria

Outspoken Catholic cleric, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a stark warning to Nigerians, urging the nation to confront its deep-seated divisions and moral decay before they spiral out of control.

Reacting to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Nigeria, Kukah said the country should not react with anger or defensiveness, but rather take the comments as a wake-up call.

> “Thank you, President Trump, for the blowout and for throwing an unexploded hand grenade our way. I hope we have the courage to act before it explodes,” the fiery bishop declared.

Speaking on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as reported by the Tribune, Kukah likened Trump’s criticism to a dangerous warning signal that could either ignite national outrage or spark long-overdue reform.

According to him, Nigeria’s real enemy lies not in external criticism but in its failure to face uncomfortable truths—from religious extremism and ethnic division to corruption and poor governance.

> “Those who exploit religion to promote hatred and division should have no place in our political or social life,” he stressed, urging Nigerians to see beyond partisan politics and unite for the nation’s survival.

Kukah emphasized that Nigeria’s biggest problem is its unwillingness to confront the truth about its weaknesses, saying the nation’s moral and institutional foundations are eroding under the weight of denial.

He called on leaders, religious figures, and citizens alike to seize this “moment of national introspection” to rebuild trust and integrity across every level of society.

> “The grenade is there — unexploded,” Kukah concluded. “But we still have time to defuse it.”