Christian persecution Nigeria government response
The federal government of Nigeria has rejected claims that Christians are being persecuted nationwide and declared that religious persecution is not occurring under the current administration. The declarations came amid international pressure and mounting allegations pointing to targeted violence against Christians in the country.
In a recent statement, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration emphasised that Nigeria upholds constitutional guarantees for the freedom of religion. The President stated that the country is “a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty” and argued that the nation’s record does not reflect the narrative of religious intolerance.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, via the Office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, described allegations of “Christian genocide” or state-sponsored persecution as “false, baseless, and divisive”. The Minister, Mohammed Idris, clarified that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex, not a targeted campaign against Christians, and pointed out that victims of violence include people from all faiths.
The government further noted that leadership in Nigeria’s security apparatus includes Christians, citing the occupancy of top posts by Christians such as the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police as evidence of inclusivity and non-discrimination.
While these rejections challenge external claims of systematic Christian persecution, analysts caution that the issue remains deeply complex. Violence in Nigeria often stems from terrorism, communal conflicts, land disputes and other non-religious drivers, making the clear categorisation of “religious persecution” difficult.
