Nigeria’s Faith and Power – A Journey Through Religion, Politics, and Society
Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has faced persistent questions about security, particularly in relation to Islamist extremism and allegations of widespread persecution of Christians. Groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP, an ISIS affiliate) and Boko Haram continue to operate, primarily in the North East and North West, while farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt have frequently taken on a religious colouring.
The Tinubu administration has consistently rejected international claims – notably from figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump and organisations like Open Doors – that Nigeria is experiencing a “genocide” against Christians. President Tinubu has stated clearly: “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality, extremism, and challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.” He has emphasised that terrorists target victims irrespective of faith and that Nigeria remains constitutionally committed to religious freedom.
In December 2025, Tinubu personally authorised U.S. airstrikes on ISIS targets in north-west Nigeria, providing intelligence and coordination. The operation was described by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, as vindication of the President’s counter-terrorism strategy, aimed at protecting “innocent lives irrespective of religion (whether Muslim or Christian).”
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, speaking as a Christian pastor, has also pushed back against foreign designations of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations. She has urged Christian youth to counter “distorted narratives” and promoted interfaith harmony, stating: “Let us choose harmony over division and stand against every form of religious bigotry or ethnic intolerance.”
Actions taken under the administration include:
- Declaring a nationwide security emergency to address surging violence
- Sustained military operations against terrorist groups, including rescues and surveillance
- Donations of relief materials to vulnerable Christian communities in the North
- Ongoing engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to foster dialogue
While acknowledging the disproportionate impact of certain attacks on Christian communities – particularly in the Middle Belt – the government frames these as rooted in banditry, land disputes, and socio-economic factors rather than state-sponsored religious persecution. Critics, however, argue that the response has been insufficient and that the rhetoric downplays the religious dimension of the violence.
As Nigeria approaches the midpoint of Tinubu’s term, security remains one of the most critical tests of his presidency, with religious freedom concerns continuing to shape both domestic politics and international perceptions.
References: Presidential statements (2023–2025); Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefings on U.S. cooperation (December 2025); First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s addresses to Christian conferences; USCIRF and Open Doors reports (2024–2025); Nigerian military updates on counter-terrorism operations.
Next Episode: The Controversial 2023 Election: How Tinubu Won and Debates Over Fairness
(Examining the vote breakdown, opposition challenges, and lingering questions over the integrity of the process that brought Tinubu to power)