Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged the international community not to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged religious persecution, warning that such a move could undermine ongoing peace and interfaith dialogue efforts.
Speaking at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom, held at the Augustinianum Hall in Vatican City on October 21, Kukah acknowledged Nigeria’s deep-rooted insecurity but stressed that the country should be supported, not punished, as it strives to rebuild unity and faith harmony.
The 1,248-page global report documents a steep decline in religious freedom, revealing that over 5.4 billion people now live in countries where such rights are restricted. It blames authoritarian regimes, religious extremism, and ethnic nationalism as major drivers of persecution.
In his presentation titled “A Plea and Testimony from Nigeria,” Kukah said Nigeria’s crisis should not be simplified as targeted persecution of Christians.
“We are not dealing with people going around wielding machetes to kill me because I am a Christian,” he explained.
“I live and work in Sokoto, right in the womb of Islam, where collaboration between Christians and Muslims remains possible. Our lives should be defined by a better narrative.”
However, Kukah admitted that the security collapse in some parts of Nigeria has created conditions that resemble “genocide.”
He condemned the government’s failure to protect citizens, lamenting that Nigerians are dying daily “not just because of religion but also because of ethnicity.”
He also described former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year administration as “the worst phase in interfaith relations,” accusing it of alienating Christians and empowering extremists.
“Under Buhari, to gain power, it was more important to be a northern Muslim than to be a citizen of Nigeria,” Kukah said pointedly.
In contrast, he praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for showing inclusiveness, noting that while both the President and Vice President are Muslims, Christians currently occupy key national offices including the Chief of Defence Staff, DSS Director, and INEC Chairman. He called these appointments “confidence-building measures” to restore national trust.
Referencing the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Kukah noted a 37% drop in terrorist attacks in 2024 but warned that religion still fuels many violent incidents, especially against Christians in northern Nigeria.
He called on Tinubu to enforce constitutional secularism, particularly by challenging the application of Sharia law in 12 northern states, which he said encourages mob justice and discrimination.
“The President should go to court to have the adoption of Sharia law declared unconstitutional,” he urged.
“The secular state envisioned by the Constitution must be enforced.”
Kukah also drew attention to systemic discrimination against Christian minorities in the North, citing the denial of land for church buildings, limited access to religious education, and bias in public employment.
On global policy, the Bishop warned Western nations particularly the United States that re-listing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” would only worsen tensions and embolden extremists.
“Such a designation will only increase divisions and hinder cooperation,” he said. “What Nigeria needs is vigilance, reform, and international partnership not isolation.”
He further criticized past U.S. administrations under Barack Obama and Joe Biden for restricting arms sales to Nigeria during Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, arguing that the embargo weakened the country’s fight against Boko Haram.
Kukah urged U.S. President Donald Trump and other global leaders to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts through arms access and intelligence sharing.
The Bishop concluded with optimism, commending Pope Leo XIV for advancing global unity and urging the world to see Nigeria not as a nation of division, but as one capable of promoting peace.
“Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people of faith, can make a great contribution to world peace if we rid ourselves of hatred and extremism,” he said
