President Tinubu Rejects Claims of Religious Intolerance, Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to Freedom of Faith
ABUJA, Nigeria – In a firm rebuttal to international criticism, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy committed to constitutional religious liberty, opposing any form of religious persecution.
The statement, issued from the Office of the President, serves as a direct response to growing external characterizations of Nigeria as a nation struggling with religious intolerance. President Tinubu labeled such portrayals as a misrepresentation of the country’s national reality.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” the President asserted. He emphasized that the Nigerian constitution contains guarantees designed to protect citizens of all faiths.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu pointed to “open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike” as evidence of the government’s inclusive approach. He also acknowledged ongoing security challenges that affect citizens indiscriminately across different faiths and regions, framing the government’s response as one that does not discriminate.
The statement further sought to address the specific issue of religious persecution, a charge often leveled by international human rights groups and foreign governments. “Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” the President stated unequivocally.
Looking forward, President Tinubu expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the United States government and the broader international community. The goal, he said, is to “deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”
This declaration comes at a time when Nigeria’s handling of inter-communal violence and the activities of militant groups often divided along religious lines remains under intense global scrutiny. The administration’s statement aims to project an image of a unified nation governed by law and dedicated to safeguarding the beliefs of all its people.
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