President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again dismissed claims that Nigeria is experiencing a Christian genocide, insisting that the country’s security challenges are driven by criminality, extremism and long-standing socio-economic issues rather than religious persecution.
The President stated this in Abuja while declaring open the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” He was represented at the event by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
According to Tinubu, violence in Nigeria has affected both Christians and Muslims, stressing that the country is confronting terrorism rooted in crime and extremist ideology, not religion.
Speaking through his representative, the President noted that the Federal Government has had to respond to what he described as unfounded and harmful allegations capable of inflaming tensions and undermining peaceful coexistence.
He said the government’s response to such claims has been deliberate and firm, reiterating that Nigeria does not support or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group.
Tinubu restated his position that there is no religious genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and that people of both faiths consistently condemn violence in all its forms.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to protecting human life, safeguarding religious freedom and promoting national unity. He urged citizens to reject divisive narratives, whether originating within the country or from abroad, warning against attempts to sow discord or promote negative stereotypes about Nigeria.
He also described Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity as a source of strength, pointing to the country’s long history of peaceful coexistence among different faiths. Tinubu commended NASFAT for its role in promoting moderation, tolerance and service to humanity, noting that such values offer practical solutions to conflict and nation-building.
At the conference, the keynote speaker, Dr Nurudeen Lemu, urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and hopeful despite the nation’s challenges, encouraging them to hold firmly to God and maintain optimism in difficult times.
Tinubu’s remarks come weeks after former United States President Donald Trump alleged that Christians were being deliberately targeted in Nigeria. Trump had described Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and warned of possible US intervention if the situation was not addressed.
The comments triggered widespread debate and led the Federal Government to send a delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to engage US lawmakers and clarify Nigeria’s security situation.
