President Bola Tinubu has dismissed United States President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a democratic nation built on constitutional guarantees that protect freedom of religion and belief.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” the president said.
“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.”
Trump had announced on Friday via his Truth Social platform that Nigeria was being redesignated on the US religious freedom watchlist as a “country of particular concern”.
The decision follows pressure from some US lawmakers, evangelical groups, and lobbyists who have accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from persecution.
However, Tinubu described such claims as misleading and counterproductive, stressing that his administration has maintained active communication with leaders of both Christianity and Islam since assuming office in 2023.
“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,” he said.
The president noted that his government is implementing ongoing security reforms aimed at protecting all communities from terrorism and banditry, regardless of religion.
He emphasized that violent groups in parts of Nigeria target both Christians and Muslims, thereby threatening peace and national unity.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been core tenets of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” the president said.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to working with the United States and other international partners to strengthen cooperation, promote peaceful coexistence, and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Intolerance is not our identity.”
Nigeria was first designated as a “country of particular concern” by the Trump administration in 2020 but was removed from the list in 2021 by former President Joe Biden.