U.S. President Donald Trump says Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria, calling for investigations into alleged killings of Christians.
The United States has officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under its religious-freedom policy. This decision cites thousands of alleged killings of Christians by radical Islamist groups.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Donald Trump declared, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He said the U.S. “can not stand by while such atrocities are happening” and directed U.S. Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole to investigate the matter.
Under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, a CPC designation indicates “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” It allows the US to impose measures like limiting non-humanitarian aid.
The Nigerian government has rejected the claim that Christians are being singled out. They emphasised that the country remains a close ally of the US. The challenges stem from broader violence and extremism.
Key Points to Consider:
- The designation does not automatically trigger sanctions, but it opens the door for them, including possible restrictions on aid.
- Analysts note that Christian communities have been severely affected. Many of the attacks attributed to Islamist groups also impact Muslim populations. This is particularly true in northern Nigeria.
- The move reflects growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers like Ted Cruz, to hold Nigeria accountable for religious-violence issues
Meanwhile, Nigerian government has dismissed the allegations as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the narrative of a targeted Christian genocide is misleading. It grossly misrepresents Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a campaign against one religion is inaccurate and harmful,” Idris said.
He emphasized that both Muslims and Christians have suffered from extremist violence. He noted that over 13,500 terrorists were killed. Nearly 10,000 hostages were rescued between 2023 and February 2025.
The minister added that recent arrests of senior Ansaru leaders have demonstrated the government’s progress in counter-terrorism efforts. The conviction of hundreds of Boko Haram members also shows this progress.
Earlier in October, Trump’s Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. He downplayed claims of a Christian genocide. He noted that “terrorism has no colour, no religion, and no tribe.”
The Nigerian Senate has formed a 12-member ad-hoc committee. Its purpose is to examine international reports on alleged religious persecution. The committee will prepare a fact-based position paper to guide diplomatic responses.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the move was necessary “to correct misleading narratives” in global forums.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) acknowledged that Christian communities have suffered repeated attacks. They urged the government to strengthen protection for all citizens. They also called for justice for victims.
“We remain concerned. Cries for justice are often met with delay. Sometimes, they face denial,” CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said.
Minister Idris reiterated that freedom of religion is enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and urged foreign observers to avoid sensational reporting.
“Foreign interlopers are unaware of the current leaders’ religious affiliations. The heads of both the armed forces and the police are Christians,” he said.
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