Rinu Oduala criticises presidency on religious freedom in Nigeria
Youth activist Rinu Oduala has sharply criticised the presidency of Bola Tinubu for what she calls a superficial approach to religious freedom in Nigeria, arguing the administration is “a government by graphic design, for graphic design, with graphic design”. Oduala said the rhetoric from the presidency does not match the lived realities of Nigerians facing violence, discrimination and insecurity tied to religion.
Oduala’s comments come amidst increased pressure on the Nigerian government from international actors who have flagged concerns about religious freedom, including how Nigeria addresses attacks on worshippers and faith-based communities. The federal government has denied state-sponsored religious persecution, insisting that its security challenges impact all faiths and stem from insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes.
According to Oduala, the presidency appears more focused on image and messaging social media posts, press statements, photo-ops than on substantive action. She said that appealing visuals and assurances of tolerance are insufficient unless they are backed by measurable protection for religious minorities, transparent investigation of attacks, and accountability across sectors. Without that, she warned, the narrative of freedom becomes a “graphic-design façade”.
Her critique aligns with concerns from civil society that Nigeria’s religious freedom narrative is increasingly contested. For instance, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the presidency of misrepresenting its position on claims of genocide or mass killing of Christians. Oduala argues that this mismatch between government messaging and grassroots experience undermines trust, especially among young Nigerians, and diminishes prospects for genuine reform.
Oduala’s stance draws on her past activism, including her role with the #EndSARS initiative and service on the Lagos panel investigating police brutality. She used her platform to call for more thorough, less photo-centric responses from the government such as data-driven monitoring of attacks on places of worship, independent oversight of religious-based crimes, and meaningful engagement with affected communities.
