By Olawale Lamina
Following allegation of widespread killing of Christians and the labelling of Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by the United States, US, President Donald Trump, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has turned down the claim saying stating that the country has constitutional guarantees to protect citizen of all faiths.
President Tinubu said the negative designation of the country doesn’t not reflect the nation’s reality in the face of the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion for all Nigerians.
The reaction of the federal government was made known in a statement issued by President Tinubu on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
President Tinubu insisted that the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect national reality or take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion for all Nigerians.
This was made known in a statement issued by President Tinubu on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
The President stressed that the country has always maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders as it will continue to deal with the various security challenges affecting Nigerians of all faiths and religions.
According to President Tinubu, Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it, adding that religious freedom and tolerance have always been a major part of the nation’s collective identity.
Tinubu said, ‘’Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.
‘’The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
‘’Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
He assured that Nigeria remains a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths, adding that, ’Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.’’
On Friday, President Trump, had in a post on X, officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” based on reports of widespread assault on Christian communities and rising religious intolerance. The designation signals heightened U.S. attention and action regarding religious freedom violations in the country.
President Trump has stated that thousands of Christians had been killed in attacks attributed to radical Islamist groups.
The US President then instructed Congressman Riley Moore, alongside Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the alleged killings in Nigeria and report back to him.
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