There is no Christian or Muslim genocide in Nigeria – Tinubu insists
President Bola Tinubu has again dismissed assertions that Nigeria is facing a Christian genocide, maintaining that the country’s insecurity is not rooted in religious persecution but in criminal activities, extremism, and deep-seated socio-economic challenges.
He stated this in Abuja while declaring open the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” The president was represented at the event by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Tinubu emphasised that violence in Nigeria has affected both Christians and Muslims, noting that the country is grappling with terrorism driven by criminal interests and extremist ideologies rather than religious intolerance.
His remarks come weeks after former United States President Donald Trump claimed that Christians were being deliberately targeted for killing in Nigeria. Trump, who described Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” warned that the US could deploy military forces if the situation was not addressed. The comments sparked widespread debate and prompted the Federal Government to dispatch a delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to engage US lawmakers and clarify Nigeria’s security realities.
Quoting Tinubu at the NASFAT event, an online platform, Freedom Online, reported him as saying: “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation.”
He added that the government’s response to such claims had been deliberate and firm. “Nigeria’s response was clear, firm and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter.”
Reiterating his stance, Tinubu said: “As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.”
The president assured that his administration would continue to prioritise national unity, religious freedom and the protection of human life. He urged Nigerians to reject narratives aimed at dividing the country, whether promoted internally or from abroad.
“We must, therefore, reject narratives that seek to divide us, whether they come from within or outside our borders. We must not allow internal or external forces to sow discord or promote dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength, noting the long tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths. He praised NASFAT for its contributions to national harmony, saying its emphasis on moderation, tolerance and service to humanity offers practical pathways to resolving conflict and strengthening unity.
“Let us continue to promote moderation, peaceful coexistence and respect for our diversity. Our differences are a divine design, not a source of conflict,” he said.
At the conference, the keynote speaker, Dr Nurudeen Lemu, called on Muslims to remain steadfast in faith and hopeful despite the country’s challenges, urging them to hold firmly to God and maintain optimism in difficult times.
