The Nigerian Senate has firmly rejected claims circulating in the United States and other Western countries that Christians in Nigeria are facing a “genocide.” Lawmakers described the allegations as misleading and unreflective of the country’s complex security realities.
During Thursday’s plenary, senators dismissed the narrative as an oversimplification of Nigeria’s multifaceted insecurity, which they said affects people of all faiths and regions. The Senate resolved to send a high-level delegation to the U.S. Congress to present Nigeria’s position and engage American lawmakers on the matter.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, presiding over the session, said while the nation continues to grapple with terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, labeling the situation as a “Christian genocide” was inaccurate and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s image abroad.
“There is no state-sponsored persecution of any religion in Nigeria,” Akpabio stated. “What we face are criminal and extremist attacks that cut across faiths and communities. We must correct this false narrative before it shapes international policy.”
The decision follows the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Senate — the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, 2025 — sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz and others, which seeks to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged violations of religious freedom.
The Nigerian lawmakers expressed concern that such designations could lead to sanctions, strained diplomatic relations, and reduced foreign investment. They emphasized that the government, through its security agencies, continues to combat terrorism and intercommunal violence affecting both Christians and Muslims.
Minority Leader Abba Moro noted that while many communities have suffered from insurgent attacks, “it would be unjust and dangerous to brand these tragedies as one-sided religious persecution.”
The Senate urged the Federal Government to intensify its security response, promote interfaith dialogue, and ensure justice for all victims regardless of religion or ethnicity.
With this resolution, Nigeria’s National Assembly is expected to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington to engage U.S. lawmakers and faith-based advocacy groups on the issue.