(DDM) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Nigeria as hostile to religious freedom.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Tinubu insisted Nigeria remains committed to protecting the rights of citizens of all faiths.
Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
He stated that the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality.”
The Nigerian leader stressed the government’s “consistent and sincere efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.”
Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu said his administration has maintained “open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike.”
He added that the government continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.
Tinubu reaffirmed, “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”
He further said, “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
Background
The controversy follows Trump’s remarks labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged persecution of Christians.
The label is part of U.S. foreign policy under the International Religious Freedom Act, used for countries committing “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”
Nigeria is a religiously diverse nation, home to large Christian and Muslim populations.
The country has faced security challenges in recent decades, including attacks by extremist groups, communal violence, and farmer-herder conflicts.
Some observers note attacks often target Christian communities, while others affect Muslim populations, particularly in the north-eastern region.
Implications
Tinubu’s rebuttal signals a diplomatic pushback to protect Nigeria’s international image and reassure domestic audiences.
He highlighted Nigeria’s constitutional protections that prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion and affirm the secular nature of the state.
Critics argue that recurring violence in some areas is sometimes misinterpreted as government inaction against religious persecution.
Trump’s designation has been welcomed by some U.S. evangelical groups and lawmakers who claim Nigeria has not adequately protected Christian minorities.
The U.S. designation raises questions about how structural challenges, weak governance, and security issues affect religious freedom in Nigeria.
For the Tinubu administration, the statement reinforces a commitment to pluralism and clarifies that the government is not responsible for violence perpetrated by non-state actors.
Looking Forward
Observers will watch whether Nigeria implements tangible measures to protect all faiths beyond rhetoric.
International scrutiny and bilateral relations may be influenced by how Nigeria addresses religious-based violence and collaborates with global human-rights institutions.
Domestically, Nigerians will assess whether the government’s pronouncements lead to real improvements in security and religious freedom across all regions.
The global community will also evaluate how Nigeria balances its security challenges with the imperative to protect religious liberty for every citizen.