Nigeria Fully Upholds Religious Freedom, Says Minister Mohammed Idris

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has dismissed claims suggesting that religious persecution is widespread in the country, insisting that freedom of worship remains a fundamental national value.

Speaking during a CNN interview on Tuesday night, Idris countered assertions by some foreign officials who alleged that terrorist attacks in Nigeria were predominantly targeted at Christians. He described such claims as “misleading and inconsistent” with the realities on the ground.

“Some of the data used by certain United States officials are inaccurate and built on wrong assumptions,” the minister said. “Yes, Christians have been attacked, but so have Muslims. These criminals target everyone indiscriminately — including Muslims in many parts of the North.”

He warned that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as religiously motivated could inflame division and play into the hands of extremist groups intent on destabilising the country.

“Portraying Nigeria as a nation at war between Christians and Muslims is not only false but dangerous. The perpetrators of violence want that impression to persist, but Nigerians know better — we have lived together peacefully for decades,” he added.

Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right of every citizen to worship without fear. He urged international observers to adopt a more balanced perspective when commenting on Nigeria’s security issues.

“Characterising these attacks as religiously motivated undermines our ongoing national efforts to promote unity and stability,” he said.

While acknowledging that security challenges persist, the minister noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has intensified military operations and strengthened community-based peace initiatives to address insecurity and build national cohesion.

Idris concluded by reiterating that Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most religiously diverse yet tolerant nations, committed to fostering coexistence, peace, and mutual respect among its people.