President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Nigeria persecutes Christians, reaffirming the country’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
Tinubu’s response came after Trump, on Friday, announced that the United States had redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging that Christians in Nigeria face an existential threat.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump stated in a post on social media.
Reacting on Saturday through his official social media handle, President Tinubu defended Nigeria’s record on religious liberty, saying the country remains a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu wrote. “Since 2023, our administration has actively engaged with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.”
The president further rejected the U.S. designation, saying it does not reflect Nigeria’s reality or the government’s ongoing efforts to protect citizens of all religions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into account the consistent and sincere efforts of our government to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians,” he said.
He reaffirmed that “religious freedom and tolerance are core tenets of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” stressing that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
Tinubu also pledged continued collaboration with the U.S. government and the international community to promote understanding and protect all faith communities in Nigeria.
“Our constitution guarantees the protection of citizens of all faiths,” he added, “and our administration remains committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation in protecting communities of all religions.”