President Bola Tinubu has dismissed former United States President Donald Trump’s decision to list Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Trump made the announcement on Friday, claiming there was “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria. The designation, if upheld, could affect U.S.–Nigeria relations, including cooperation on security and human rights.
But in a swift response on Saturday, President Tinubu rejected the label, insisting that Nigeria remains a democracy built on constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, Tinubu said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
The President stressed that Nigeria’s diversity is its strength and that the country’s government has always respected the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” the statement continued. “Our government has made sincere efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians. Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core part of our national identity and will remain so.”
Tinubu also noted that his administration has taken steps to promote unity among religious groups, citing ongoing engagements with faith leaders to tackle insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence.
Nigeria has long faced challenges from violent extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), whose attacks have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities. Analysts say these conflicts are often driven more by economic and security issues than by religion itself.
Successive Nigerian governments have rejected claims that the country’s authorities encourage or tolerate religious persecution. The U.S. had previously placed Nigeria on the “countries of particular concern” list in 2020 during Trump’s administration but removed it in 2021 under President Joe Biden, following diplomatic engagements between both nations.
Tinubu’s statement signals Nigeria’s determination to avoid being misrepresented on the global stage. He emphasised the country’s readiness to work with the United States and other international partners to strengthen religious freedom and protect vulnerable communities.
“Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he said. “Our administration is committed to working with the U.S. government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
