The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named foreign lobbyists, particularly in the United States, as being responsible for spreading the “Christian genocide” narrative about Nigeria.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that these lobbyists are influencing how the international community perceives Nigeria’s internal security issues. Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, November 5, Idris revealed that government investigations uncovered a deliberate effort to misrepresent the country’s security situation.
“We have seen a connection between some of the lobbyists in the U.S. and certain groups here who amplify false narratives. These individuals have been pushing the genocide story for personal or political gain,” Idris said.
He clarified that terrorist groups in Nigeria do not operate based on religion, emphasizing that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from insecurity. Idris described the U.S. position on a “Christian genocide” as a result of misrepresentation and misinformation, adding that there is no evidence suggesting that any religious group is specifically targeted.
“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges affecting all citizens equally. Any suggestion that the government condones religious persecution is based on faulty data,” the minister added.
Meanwhile, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reaffirmed America’s willingness to collaborate with Nigeria in addressing religious and security concerns. Chairperson Vicky Hartzler stated that the U.S. is open to working with President Tinubu’s administration on the matter.
This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, a claim that Nigerian officials and religious leaders have since dismissed as misleading.
