The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has firmly dismissed the classification of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by former United States President Donald Trump, describing the claim of “Christian genocide” as a dangerous piece of foreign propaganda intended to destabilise the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the National Secretary of the Council, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the genocide narrative promoted by the U.S. government and far-right lobby groups was false, politically motivated, and designed to incite religious divisions in Africa’s most populous nation.
According to him, there is no evidence to support allegations that Nigerian Muslims are persecuting Christians. He explained that the insecurity plaguing the nation is driven by terrorism, poverty, criminality, and the effects of climate change, which have displaced populations and triggered violent clashes over scarce resources.
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. Both Muslims and Christians are victims of terrorists and criminal gangs,” Oloyede stated. “These attackers do not represent Islam. They kill Muslims, destroy mosques, and target everyone.”
He referenced findings from independent investigations, including reports by Amnesty International and other global conflict monitors, which concluded that the violence in Nigeria does not meet the criteria for genocide under international law.
Oloyede further alleged that the renewed push to label Nigeria as a zone of religious persecution gained momentum after the country reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution in Palestine at the United Nations. He claimed that pro-Israeli and far-right groups were behind the narrative to divert attention from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“The agenda is distraction and destabilisation. The fastest way to break Nigeria is to inflame religious tensions,” he warned.
The Islamic Council urged both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to reject external interference and resist efforts to turn the nation’s security challenges into religious conflict. Oloyede also called on the United States to withdraw its statement and instead assist Nigeria with intelligence sharing and logistical support to combat terrorism.
“We will not allow foreign interests to fragment Nigeria. We stand for unity, peace, and justice,” he affirmed.
The Council appealed to the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to strengthen security, expose the sponsors of banditry, and protect citizens of all faiths.
It would be recalled that former President Trump had recently threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians after designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.” The Nigerian government, however, has repeatedly rejected the allegation, urging the U.S. and other global powers to support efforts to end insecurity rather than politicise the issue.
