The Federal Government has rejected remarks by United States President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in the country and designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
This was contained in a statement issued by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025.
The government, in the statement, said the allegations do not reflect the actual situation in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’
“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” the ministry said.
The statement noted that while Nigeria “appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom,” the allegations were inaccurate.
Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the statement continued, Nigeria “remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.”
The ministry also stressed that Nigeria would “continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”
On Friday night, Trump announced in a Truth Social post, later shared on the White House’s X handle, that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he called an existential threat to Christianity in the nation.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of particular concern’ — But that is the least of it,” Trump said.
Citing alarming figures, the US president added, “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
Trump called on key members of Congress to take immediate action.
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me,” he said.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the world!” Trump added.
Last month, US lawmaker Riley Moore urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action against what he called the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, describing the country as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”
Moore also called for the suspension of arms sales to Nigeria until the government shows a genuine effort to curb the violence.
“Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, and the United States cannot stand idly by,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told CNN earlier in the week that claims of targeted attacks on Christians were unfounded.
“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians.
“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country,” the minister said.
Nigeria was first listed as a CPC in 2020 during Trump’s first administration following recommendations by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
The commission had cited inter-religious violence, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks, and concerns over government inaction.
Nigeria became the first secular democracy to be placed on the CPC list. The designation was, however, lifted in 2021 under President Joe Biden’s administration.
