President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, amid mounting international debate over allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Photographs released from the meeting showed the cleric in discussion with the President inside his Aso Rock office.
While details of their talks were not immediately disclosed, sources within the Presidency said the meeting took place privately and lasted for about an hour.
The visit comes in the wake of fresh accusations from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently claimed that Christians in Nigeria were victims of genocide.
Trump had, on Friday, announced that Nigeria was being redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” a U.S. classification reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.
In his comments on Truth Social, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities and warned that Washington could suspend all aid and even consider military action if the alleged killings persisted.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately stop all assistance and may go in, guns blazing, to stop the Islamic terrorists,” Trump said.
The Nigerian government swiftly rejected the genocide claim, insisting that the nation’s conflicts stem from terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes rather than religious persecution.
Officials have maintained that both Christians and Muslims continue to coexist peacefully across the country.
A statement from the Presidency earlier this week described President Tinubu as “calm and focused” despite Trump’s threats, assuring that diplomatic engagement was ongoing between Abuja and Washington to address the misunderstanding.
“President Tinubu and former President Trump are expected to hold discussions soon to clarify the situation surrounding these allegations,” the statement added.
Archbishop Kaigama, known for his advocacy of interfaith dialogue and national unity, has consistently called for tolerance and mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse faith groups.
His visit to Aso Rock, though not officially linked to the U.S. controversy, is believed to be part of wider consultations between the Church and government on peacebuilding and security issues.
The meeting underscored growing international attention on Nigeria’s human rights and security record, particularly as both government and religious leaders seek to counter narratives of faith-based violence.
