Abuja, December 13, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his firm rejection of claims that Nigeria is experiencing a Christian genocide, emphasizing that the country's insecurity stems from criminality, extremism, and longstanding socio-economic issues rather than targeted religious persecution. Speaking at the opening of the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT) in Abuja on December 12, 2025, the President stressed that both Christians and Muslims have fallen victim to violence, and that divisive narratives—whether domestic or international—must be rejected to preserve national unity.
Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), President Tinubu declared: “As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.”
The conference, themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community,” brought together members of NASFAT, a prominent Islamic organization known for promoting moderation and interfaith harmony. Tinubu praised the society for its contributions to peace, tolerance, and community service, noting that faith-based groups play a vital role in reinforcing societal values amid economic reforms and security efforts.
“In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations,” Tinubu stated. “These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation.” He highlighted Nigeria's response to such claims as “clear, firm, and measured,” reaffirming that the government does not tolerate policies persecuting any religious group.
The President's remarks come against the backdrop of heightened international scrutiny, particularly following statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump in November 2025, who labeled violence against Christians in Nigeria as a “genocide” and threatened potential military intervention while designating the country a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations. These claims prompted diplomatic engagements, including a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington in late November, followed by a U.S. congressional fact-finding visit to Abuja on December 7, 2025.
During these bilateral discussions, Nigeria emphasized cooperation on counter-terrorism and regional stability while firmly denying targeted religious persecution. Experts and monitoring groups have noted that while violence— including attacks by jihadist groups like Boko Haram and herder-farmer clashes—has claimed lives across faiths, there is no evidence of systematic genocide against any single religious group.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace diversity as a strength: “Our differences are a divine design, not a source of conflict. Let us continue to promote moderation, peaceful coexistence, and respect for our diversity.” He called on citizens to reject divisive narratives from any source, warning: “We must not allow internal or external forces to sow discord or promote dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation.”
The President assured continued prioritization of national unity, religious freedom, and human security, pledging to reinvigorate the security architecture to protect all Nigerians regardless of faith or ethnicity. He acknowledged the role of organizations like NASFAT in building resilience, stating: “As we reform our economy and tackle insecurity, we rely on institutions like NASFAT to reinforce the moral and spiritual fabric of our society.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Nurudeen Lemu encouraged Muslims to remain steadfast and optimistic amid challenges, while Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, lauded NASFAT as a leading Islamic organization promoting the common good.
Tinubu described recent allegations as “unfounded” and “harmful,” capable of inflaming passions and disrupting peaceful coexistence. “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful,” he said. He affirmed that “Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria” and stand united in condemning violence.
The president urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives from internal or external sources: “We must, therefore, reject narratives that seek to divide us, whether they come from within or outside our borders. We must not allow internal or external forces to sow discord or promote dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation.”
Highlighting Nigeria's diversity as a strength, Tinubu praised NASFAT for promoting moderation, tolerance, and service to humanity. “Your teachings provide pathways for resolving conflicts and deepening national unity,” he noted, adding that faith-based organizations like NASFAT are vital partners in building resilience amid economic reforms and security challenges.
The administration, Tinubu assured, remains committed to prioritizing national unity, religious freedom, and human life protection. He pledged to reinvigorate the security architecture to safeguard all citizens regardless of faith, ethnicity, or geography.
At the conference, keynote speaker Dr. Nurudeen Lemu encouraged Muslims to remain steadfast and hopeful amid national difficulties, urging reliance on faith for optimism. Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, lauded NASFAT as a “five-star” Islamic organization with potential for greater impact.
NASFAT, a prominent Muslim society focused on spiritual growth, education, and humanitarian services, used the biennial event to review progress and adopt policies for enhanced interventions.
Tinubu's stance aligns with previous government positions rejecting genocide claims, emphasizing that violence stems from multifaceted issues like banditry, insurgency, and resource conflicts affecting all communities. Diplomatic efforts continue to counter international narratives while strengthening bilateral security ties.
