Nigeria Rejects US Allegations of Christian Persecution, Citing Resource Conflicts

Nigerian Foreign Minister Rejects US Persecution Claims

Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has vehemently rejected accusations from the United States regarding the persecution of Christians within the West African nation. Speaking on October 15, 2025, Tuggar stated that communal conflicts are primarily linked to intense resource pressures, rather than religious targeting, and that these tensions have been misrepresented by various interest groups.

US Lawmakers Push for 'Country of Particular Concern' Redesignation

The Nigerian government's rebuttal comes in response to renewed pressure from US lawmakers who allege widespread violence against Christians. Senator Ted Cruz introduced the 'Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747)' in September, aiming to hold Nigerian officials accountable for what he describes as 'mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists.' Congressman Riley Moore and Chris Smith have also called for Nigeria to be redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious repression.

US lawmakers have cited alarming figures, with Congressman Moore detailing that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, averaging 35 per day. Reports also suggest that over 50,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009, and approximately 19,100 churches and 2,000 Christian schools have been destroyed. Nigeria was previously designated a CPC in December 2020 under the Trump administration but was removed from the list in November 2021 by the Biden administration, a decision that drew criticism from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Nigeria Attributes Conflicts to Resource Scarcity and Population Growth

Foreign Minister Tuggar maintains that the violence is not religiously motivated but rather a consequence of escalating competition for vital resources. He explained that conflicts arise from pressures on:

• Farmland
• Grazing land
• Mineral resources
• Water

These challenges are exacerbated by climate change and Nigeria's rapidly growing population, which is projected to nearly double to 400 million in the next 25 years. Tuggar asserted that 'lobby groups and even comedians' are 'revving up these sentiments' to push for Nigeria's inclusion on the US' annual CPC list based on 'false premises of religious persecution.' Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, echoed this sentiment, calling the 'genocide' narrative 'false' and aimed at 'dividing Nigeria and instigating hatred.'

Government Actions and Commitment to Religious Freedom

Nigerian officials have consistently stated that the country has no state religion and is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of their faith. The government has outlined proactive measures to address insecurity, including deploying security forces to conflict-affected areas, implementing peace-building initiatives between farmers and herders, enhancing intelligence gathering, and introducing land reforms and economic development programs. Tuggar emphasized that the government is not inactive amidst threats such as banditry, terrorism, and organized crime, which impact diverse communities across the country.