Tinubu replies Trump: Nigeria remains committed to religious freedeom

By Paul Dada

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of  genocide  against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.

In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”

Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”

Read the full statement below:

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

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.

Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

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.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU

PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA