Nigeria Upholds Religious Freedom, Says Information Minister on CNN‎

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance, dismissing as “misleading” reports suggesting that terrorists in the country target only Christians.
Speaking in an interview with CNN on Tuesday night, Idris said the Tinubu administration is “deeply committed to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges” and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” Idris said. “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians, and they also target Muslims — especially in the northern part of the country.”
The Minister stressed that those promoting the narrative of religious persecution risk playing into the hands of violent groups whose real objective is to sow division among Nigerians.
“Characterizing these attacks as being solely against Christians will drive Nigeria towards division,” Idris cautioned. “The criminals want to portray the country as if there is a fight between Christians and Muslims. We have seen attacks on Christians and on Muslims as well. But it is wrong to say that Nigeria does not tolerate religious freedom.”
Nigeria has long faced complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts that have claimed thousands of lives. While extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have targeted both Muslim and Christian communities, some Western reports and advocacy groups have accused Nigeria of failing to protect religious minorities — a claim Nigerian authorities have repeatedly rejected.
In 2021, the United States removed Nigeria from its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” on religious freedom violations, but advocacy groups continue to allege bias in the government’s response to faith-based violence. Analysts say such narratives often oversimplify Nigeria’s multi-dimensional security crisis.
Political analyst Dr. Kabiru Mato told The Nation Newspaper that Idris’ clarification is timely and necessary.
“Nigeria’s conflicts are largely driven by socio-economic factors, not religion. Criminals exploit these fault lines, and foreign narratives that frame them as religious wars are not only inaccurate but dangerous,” he said.
Similarly, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, a peace advocate, said the government must continue engaging both local and international stakeholders to correct misconceptions.
“Religious freedom is real in Nigeria, but insecurity affects everyone. What’s needed is collaboration, not confrontation,” he added.
Idris explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has intensified efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture through both military and non-kinetic approaches.
“In the last two years, there has been renewed focus and attention to ensure that Nigeria becomes safe. We have massively deployed resources to improve military hardware and invested in agriculture and social services to address root causes of insecurity,” the Minister said.
He also linked the recent reshuffling of service chiefs to the government’s broader strategy to enhance efficiency and coordination among the security forces.
“Even the recent changes in service chiefs are geared towards strengthening our security system and ensuring prompt government response to emerging threats,” Idris said.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s security challenges remain serious, the Minister insisted that the situation is improving and that the government’s sustained commitment will guarantee lasting peace.
“Yes, we have seen security challenges, but there is a massive drive by the government to make Nigeria safe for everyone. It is wrong to paint Nigeria as unsafe or intolerant. Nigeria is indeed a safe and tolerant country,” he maintained.