The House of Representatives has condemned a bill introduced in the United States Congress that alleged Nigeria engaged in and tolerates systematic violations of religious freedom.
The bill, introduced on March 11, 2025, seeks to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The resolution seeks to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for allegedly engaging in, and tolerating, systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
In reaction, the House mandated relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to compile and transmit empirical evidence that counters the claims made in the U.S. bill.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
The House unanimously supported a motion mandating relevant government agencies to compile and transmit empirical evidence countering the claims made in the U.S. bill.
The lawmakers argued that Nigeria is not facing a religious crisis and stressed the need for prompt diplomatic action to prevent the bill from gaining traction in the U.S. Congress.
The House of Representatives’ resolution called for diplomatic action to protect Nigeria’s image and prevent the bill from affecting bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Federal Government had also dismissed claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing them as “false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement stated that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.
The government acknowledged that Nigeria faced complex security challenges, including terrorism, but emphasised that extremists have targeted Nigerians of all faiths.
“The federal government strongly condemns and categorically refutes recent allegations by certain international platforms and online influencers suggesting that terrorists operating in Nigeria are engaged in a systematic genocide against Christians.
“Such claims are false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.
“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.
“While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful.
“It oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines.”
The minister noted that extremists have targeted Nigerians of all faiths, while also highlighting the progress made by the military in operations against terror groups.
The government has assured that it will continue to address security challenges and promote national unity.
