Academician Prince Dr. Philip Chidi Njemanze, chairman of the Global Prolife Alliance (GPA), has called on United States President Donald Trump to establish a global pro-life doctrine aimed at strengthening the protection of unborn children, with Nigeria serving as the starting point of the proposed international initiative. In an open letter to Trump, Njemanze urged the American president to make the protection of unborn human life a defining principle of US foreign policy, arguing that American leadership could promote the dignity of human life through lawful, accountable and evidence-based measures that also safeguard maternal health.
Njemanze called for an independent legal and medical review of Nigeria’s National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications, published by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in February 2018. He said the legal foundation, interpretation and implementation of the guidelines required scrutiny, particularly concerning late-term procedures and safeguards for unborn children. Citing Section 297 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code, which addresses certain surgical operations performed in good faith and with reasonable care and skill, including procedures intended to preserve a mother’s life, the GPA chairman urged authorities to establish whether the guidelines remain within the limits of Nigerian law while ensuring that women receive necessary emergency medical care.
The pro-life advocate also asked the Trump administration to investigate US-funded programmes operating in Nigeria that may support abortion services and determine whether they comply with the Helms Amendment, which restricts the use of American foreign assistance to pay for abortion as a method of family planning. He argued that American taxpayers deserved transparency and assurances that public funds were not being used in violation of US law. Njemanze said that where credible evidence established violations, the administration should pursue legally authorised corrective measures and appropriate consequences, subject to due process and accountability.
Outlining five principles for his proposed Trump Pro-Life Doctrine, Njemanze called for the protection of unborn children alongside the preservation of maternal health and access to emergency treatment; stricter enforcement of US restrictions on foreign-assistance funding for abortion; greater transparency in aid programmes; and an independent examination of Nigeria’s abortion guidelines, relevant legislation and late-term procedures. He also advocated lawful and targeted consequences where proven violations justified funding restrictions or other measures, while urging other countries to join an international initiative promoting the dignity of human life and practical support for pregnant women. He stressed that any sanctions or restrictions must be backed by clear legal authority, credible evidence and due process.
In the letter, Njemanze urged Trump to direct relevant American officials to examine Nigeria’s abortion policies and US-funded programmes in the country, with a view to recommending concrete steps to strengthen protections for unborn children. He also called for a broader political debate ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, urging candidates across party lines to explain their positions on unborn life, maternal health and government accountability. According to him, the proposed doctrine could provide an opportunity for the Trump administration to demonstrate that American international leadership can defend vulnerable human life while ensuring that foreign assistance serves lawful and clearly defined objectives.
Njemanze said the initiative could become a lasting part of Trump’s presidential legacy if it encouraged international cooperation on the protection of unborn children and support for pregnant women. He urged the US president to make the issue an enduring priority of his administration and consider Nigeria as the launch point for the proposed global mission.
