President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly rejected the recent designation of Nigeria by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom, saying the label does not reflect the nation’s true character or commitment to coexistence.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Saturday, Tinubu described the U.S. classification as “misguided and inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and social realities.”
He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a secular state where citizens of all faiths—Christian, Muslim, and others—are guaranteed freedom of worship under the Constitution.
“Labeling Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. We are a diverse but united people bound by mutual respect and understanding,” the President stated.
Tinubu emphasized that his administration maintains active engagement with religious leaders across faith lines and continues to address security and communal challenges that sometimes assume religious tones.
The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also rejected the U.S. claims, stressing that no form of genocide or targeted persecution exists against Christians in the country.
“Our security challenges are complex, driven by economic and ethnic factors—not religion,” the ministry said in a statement.
Tinubu further expressed Nigeria’s readiness to cooperate with the U.S. government and international partners on strengthening dialogue, peace building, and the protection of all communities.
The designation by the U.S. places Nigeria under heightened diplomatic scrutiny and could lead to policy consequences such as aid restrictions or closer human rights monitoring.
However, analysts believe the development may reignite debate over the true nature of Nigeria’s security crisis and how religion intertwines with socio-economic conflict.
Written By:Subair Damilare Adebayo
