President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has firmly rejected the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom, insisting that the classification does not reflect the country’s realities.
In a statement issued from the State House on Saturday, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional democracy, human rights, and freedom of religion, describing the U.S. action as “misguided and inconsistent with the facts on the ground.”
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
The President stressed that the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant was inaccurate and ignored the government’s sustained efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among all religious and ethnic groups.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu added.
He emphasised that religious freedom and tolerance have always been core tenets of Nigeria’s identity, declaring that the country “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it in any form.”
Tinubu further stated that his administration would continue to collaborate with the United States and other international partners to foster mutual understanding and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of faith.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump had announced the CPC designation via his social media platform, Truth Social, alleging that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and that “radical Islamists are responsible for mass slaughter.”
Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, countries listed as CPCs are considered to have engaged in “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.” Although the designation does not automatically lead to sanctions, it can affect bilateral relations and foreign aid priorities.
The Nigerian government, however, has argued that the nation’s security challenges — including terrorism, farmer–herder conflicts, and banditry — are complex and not rooted in religion.
Tinubu’s statement signals Nigeria’s diplomatic readiness to challenge the designation and protect its international reputation as a pluralistic, multi-religious democracy.
