The Nigerian Senate is set to debate a motion aimed at countering what it describes as a “dangerous and misleading narrative” portraying Nigeria’s security crisis as a targeted “Christian genocide.”
The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), and Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), among others.
SaharaReporters referenced a draft motion seen by the media to have stated that senators expressed deep concern about what they called “growing circulation of misleading stories” both at home and abroad, suggesting that Christians are being systematically exterminated in Nigeria.
While acknowledging that Christian communities have suffered horrific attacks in different parts of the country, Ndume warned that describing the crisis as a campaign of religious extermination was false, dangerous, and capable of igniting sectarian hatred.
“The truth is that Nigerians of all faiths, Christians, Muslims, and even those who profess no religion, have suffered greatly from the wave of violence that has swept across our country,” he said.
He added that framing every act of terrorism or banditry as religiously motivated distorts international understanding of Nigeria’s security situation and undermines efforts at building peace.
“Mischaracterising the ongoing security crisis in purely religious terms risks inflaming sectarian divisions, distorting international understanding, and undermining national unity,” Ndume said.
The Senate noted that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation whose unity depends on responsible communication and accurate reporting of events.
Lawmakers expressed concern that some international media outlets, advocacy groups, and religious organisations have promoted the “Christian genocide” narrative without adequate verification.
“The Senate notes that Nigeria has in recent years faced serious security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, and targeted attacks, which have affected citizens across various religious, ethnic, and regional backgrounds,” the motion stated.
It added that the Senate was alarmed by the tendency of some foreign commentators to present Nigeria’s complex security realities through a narrow religious lens, which, according to the lawmakers, “is both unhelpful and misleading.”
Senators Express Concern Over U.S. Moves to Blacklist Nigeria
One of the key issues raised in the motion is the ongoing debate in the United States Congress and Senate about whether to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution.
Lawmakers said such a move, driven by distorted reports and sensational narratives, could have “far-reaching diplomatic and economic consequences” for Nigeria.
They cautioned that such a label might not only affect foreign investments and partnerships but also damage Nigeria’s global reputation as a secular and diverse democracy.
“The Senate expresses worry that inaccurate portrayals of Nigeria’s internal security situation in international circles could harm our foreign relations and economic prospects,” the motion read.
Senate Rejects ‘Christian Genocide’ Label, Calls for Data-Based Reporting
In its resolutions, the Senate firmly rejected what it described as “the blanket characterisation of Nigeria’s security challenges as a Christian genocide.”
The lawmakers maintained that Nigeria’s insecurity is driven by a mix of socio-economic, ethnic, and criminal factors — not religion.
They urged the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security agencies, to adopt a data-driven communication approach by regularly publishing verified casualty figures, contextual reports, and investigative findings.
“This will counter the spread of falsehoods and help the global community understand the real nature of Nigeria’s challenges,” the motion stated.
‘Media, Clerics Must Speak Responsibly’ – Senate Warns
The Senate also appealed to Nigerian religious leaders, civil society organisations, and the media to exercise restraint in their public commentary on security issues.
It cautioned that inflammatory statements and exaggerated reports could worsen tensions between communities.
Similarly, the lawmakers urged foreign embassies, global media platforms, and international NGOs to verify facts from credible sources, including local communities, security agencies, and independent monitors, before publishing sensitive reports.
To ensure consistency in Nigeria’s messaging, the upper chamber mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Information, and National Security to work closely with the Executive arm to create a coordinated national communication strategy to counter religious misinformation.
The committees were also directed to engage U.S. lawmakers, international partners, and Nigerian diaspora groups through official briefings and fact-based publications.
“The Senate resolves to engage the U.S. Congress, international partners, and diaspora networks through factual briefings to correct misconceptions,” it said.
The Senate emphasised that the fight against insecurity must go hand in hand with justice for all victims of violence, whether Christian, Muslim, or from any other background.
Lawmakers said ensuring accountability for perpetrators and providing compensation to victims were crucial to restoring public trust in government institutions.
They also called for stronger interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding efforts to promote understanding and healing among divided communities.
“Interfaith cooperation and peacebuilding must be prioritised,” the motion said. “We must show the world that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.”
U.S. Expresses Concern, Cites Attacks on Christians
The Senate’s move comes on the heels of mounting international pressure following comments by American television host Bill Maher, who accused Western media and governments of ignoring what he called a genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
On his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher, the comedian said, “If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. They are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009 and burned 18,000 churches.”
His remarks drew global attention, prompting U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace to call for stronger action against religious persecution.
Naijaonpoint reports that following Maher’s comments, the U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over continued attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to do more to protect its citizens.
In response, the Nigerian Government dismissed allegations of a Christian genocide, calling them “false, baseless, and divisive.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that while terrorist attacks have devastated many communities, it was wrong to frame them as religious persecution.
“The violent activities of terrorist groups are not confined to any particular religious or ethnic community,” he said. “These criminals target all who reject their murderous ideology, Christians, Muslims, and even those who do not identify with any religion.”
Idris stressed that the government remains committed to protecting every Nigerian, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and urged international observers to base their conclusions on verified facts rather than sensational headlines.
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