President Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing that neither Christians nor Muslims are being specifically targeted
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the opening of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting, themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World:
The Role of Faith and Community,” Tinubu, represented by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, attributed the nation’s insecurity to historical, economic, and criminal factors rather than religious persecution.
Tinubu noted that terrorism in Nigeria is driven by criminality and extremism, not faith-based targeting.
The President’s remarks follow comments by former US President Donald Trump, who in recent weeks claimed Christians in Nigeria were being persecuted and threatened potential US military intervention if the government failed to act. Trump had also labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” prompting the Nigerian government to send a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to clarify the country’s security situation to US lawmakers.
According to a report by Freedom Online, Tinubu said at the NASFAT event: “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation. Nigeria’s response was clear, firm and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter.
“As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.”
He added that the government remains committed to national unity, religious freedom, and the protection of all lives, urging Nigerians to reject narratives that seek to divide the country.
“Nigeria’s strength has always been in its diversity and the ability of its people to live together while worshipping differently,” Tinubu said, praising NASFAT for promoting unity through teachings of moderation, tolerance, and service to humanity.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Dr Nurudeen Lemu, encouraged Muslims to stay steadfast in faith and remain hopeful amid the country’s challenges.
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