Nigeria Rejects U.S Congress Claim on Christian Genocide
Last update: February 25, 2026
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Nigeria says no state policy of religious persecution, rejects U.S. Congress position...
The Federal Government of Nigeria has faulted the position of the United States Congress regarding what it described as the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the government’s position known in a statement issued on Tuesday, insisting that Nigeria has no policy of religious persecution.
“It is important to state clearly that Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” the minister said.
Idris maintained that the country’s security challenges are not rooted in religious bias or official policy.
“The violence being confronted by our security agencies is not driven by government policy or religious bias, but by complex security threats, including terrorism, organised criminality, and longstanding communal tensions,” he added.
His response followed a report submitted on Monday by the U.S. House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs to the White House, outlining findings and recommendations on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The submission came after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
CBI News reports that Trump had directed Congressman Riley M. Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead an investigation into reported persecution of Christian communities and broader security issues in Nigeria.
Moore was quoted as saying the U.S. team now has a clearer understanding of the security threats in Nigeria and urged deeper relations between the two countries.
In its reaction, the Federal Government emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship for all citizens.
“While Nigeria battles insecurity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all citizens.
“The Federal Government remains firmly committed to upholding these constitutional protections and to ensuring equal protection under the law,” the statement read.
The government further stated that efforts are ongoing to strengthen humanitarian support for internally displaced persons, ensure the safe return of affected communities, and promote community-based peacebuilding initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable coexistence.
