President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious liberty following comments by US President Donald Trump, who described Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a statement released on X on Saturday, the President said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
He emphasised that since assuming office in 2023, his 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.”
Tinubu dismissed portrayals of Nigeria as a nation lacking in religious tolerance, stressing that “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.”
Reaffirming the country’s long-standing values, the President said, “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 added that Nigeria’s laws provide constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths, underscoring his administration’s ongoing dialogue with global partners.
Tinubu also said the government 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.
The statement comes amid renewed international focus on religious freedoms in several countries, with Nigeria reaffirming its position as a pluralistic democracy dedicated to the protection of diverse beliefs.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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