The Nigerian government has strongly dismissed recent claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump labeling Nigeria as a “religiously intolerant country.” Trump’s remarks, which accused Nigerian authorities of failing to protect Christians from attacks, sparked outrage in Abuja and across the nation.In an official statement, Nigeria’s Ministry of Information described Trump’s comments as “misleading and politically motivated,” stressing that the country remains committed to freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence among all faiths. Government officials emphasized that while isolated incidents of violence have occurred, they are largely driven by banditry and regional insecurity — not religious persecution.Nigeria, home to nearly equal populations of Christians and Muslims, reaffirmed its constitutional guarantee of religious freedom and tolerance. The government further warned that such statements could inflame tensions and distort Nigeria’s image globally.Meanwhile, religious leaders and civil society groups have urged both local and international stakeholders to avoid politicizing faith-related issues. They called for global cooperation to address insecurity in northern regions rather than assigning blame.
