In response to international concerns over religious persecution, President Bola Tinubu has clarified that Nigeria faces terrorism, not targeted genocide against any faith group.
He made the remarks while declaring open the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society in Abuja on Friday. The conference carried the theme, “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community”.
Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Tinubu acknowledged the security difficulties confronting the nation but emphasized that the Federal Government is working diligently to tackle them.
Addressing recent international attention, Tinubu referenced the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged Christian genocide, describing such claims as unfounded and harmful.
“These allegations are not only false but capable of inflaming tensions and undermining the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation”, he said.
Tinubu stressed that the country’s security challenges are rooted in historical, economic, and criminal factors, not religious divisions.
“Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism, and both communities stand together in condemning violence from any quarter”, he added.
Reiterating his commitment to constitutional principles, the President said, “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we face is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism, challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome”.
He concluded by affirming the government’s dedication to national unity, religious freedom, and the protection of all citizens, pledging that Nigeria will remain a nation where diverse communities coexist peacefully.
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