Nigeria Rejects Religious Persecution Claims

opeolumartinNovember 11, 202503 mins

Abuja, Nigeria — November 11, 2025

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has firmly rejected recent allegations of religious persecution, describing them as misconceptions rooted in a misunderstanding of the country’s complex security dynamics.
Speaking during an interview on Sky News’ The World with Yalda Hakim, Idris underscored that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion in a diverse, multi-faith nation where persecution on the basis of belief is not tolerated.
“The security challenges we face are being addressed with boldness and decisiveness,” he stated, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to strengthening diplomatic engagement with the United States and other international partners.
The minister revealed that high-level discussions are ongoing between Abuja and Washington to provide clarity on Nigeria’s diversity and the true context of its security challenges. According to Idris, the accusations of persecution stem from “a lack of proper understanding” of the country’s internal dynamics.
In a notable revelation, Idris alleged that certain U.S.-based lobbyists have established connections with a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
“They have set up this lobby in the U.S., contacting senior government officials for support,” he said, suggesting that such actions risk distorting the international perception of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Idris urged the United States to restore full cooperation in combating extremism, recalling past partnerships that strengthened Nigeria’s security capabilities.
He called on the global community to approach Nigeria’s situation with nuance and fairness, recognising the nation’s religious plurality and the government’s commitment to protecting all citizens.
“Nigeria’s story is one of unity in diversity,” he concluded. “Our security and diplomatic efforts must be seen through that lens — with a complete and accurate understanding of the facts.”