President Bola Tinubu has said the Nigerian government is working with the United States government to address concerns of Christian persecution.
He said this in a statement on Saturday following the US designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern for religious persecution.
President Donald Trump on Friday added the country to a US watch list over what he said were threats to Christianity. The list contains nations the US finds have engaged in religious freedom violations, which also includes China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan.
President Tinubu noted 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.”
“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,” he added.
Mr Tinubu’s statement came after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier said in a statement, “The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed, or religion. Like America, Nigeria has no option but to celebrate the diversity that is our greatest strength.”
“Nigeria is a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, in concurrence with the rules-based international order,” the ministry added.
President Trump also asked the US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee to examine the issue and report back to him.
A US congressional subcommittee held a hearing on Christian killings in Nigeria earlier this year.
The Chairman of the US House on Appropriations Committee, Mr Tom Cole, in an X post on Friday, said the designation “sends a strong message: the U.S. will not ignore Christian persecution.”