The Federal Government has strongly denied allegations of systemic religious persecution in Nigeria, saying such claims are being pushed by foreign lobbyists, especially in the United States. It described reports of Christian genocide as false narratives that misrepresent Nigeria’s complex security situation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, dismissed the accusations during a meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja. Represented by Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, Tuggar reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a secular democracy where people of all faiths live and work together peacefully. He stressed that incidents of violence are often misinterpreted and not part of any state-sponsored discrimination.
He explained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, noting that Christians and Muslims hold leadership positions across all levels of government. Tuggar also urged international observers to rely on verified data before making conclusions about the country.
In a related briefing, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Tinubu administration has made significant strides in combating terrorism, revealing that security forces have neutralised over 13,500 terrorists, arrested 17,000 suspects, and rescued 9,800 victims since 2023. He added that the government’s operations, including Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Lake Sanity, have reclaimed vast territories from insurgents.
Idris emphasised that terrorism in Nigeria does not target any specific religion, pointing out that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist attacks. He insisted that President Tinubu’s administration is focused on securing every inch of Nigerian territory and ensuring peace for all citizens.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has written to U.S. President Donald Trump, refuting claims of Christian persecution. Keyamo, who described himself as a Christian and human rights advocate, said it would be “unconscionable” for him to serve in a government that targets any religion. He argued that Nigeria’s insecurity is driven by extremist groups and criminal networks, not religious bias.
However, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz vowed to release names of Nigerian officials allegedly involved in religious persecution, while another U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, criticised China for condemning Trump’s stance on Nigeria, saying America would not be dictated to by “a communist autocracy.”
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, also weighed in, accusing Trump of lying about Christian genocide in Nigeria. Falana said there is no evidence to support the claim and argued that most killings stem from banditry, terrorism, and land disputes rather than religion.
The Federal Government maintained that it remains open to collaboration with international partners to end terrorism but urged foreign leaders to engage with facts rather than politically driven narratives.
