By Abdullahi Inuwa,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump describing Nigeria as a country intolerant of religious diversity, saying such characterization is “inaccurate and unfair.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, President Tinubu said the description fails to reflect Nigeria’s true national reality or acknowledge the government’s ongoing efforts to promote religious freedom and peaceful coexistence among citizens.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the president said.
Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy with firm guarantees for religious liberty, noting that since 2023, his administration has maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to address issues affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.
He reaffirmed that religious tolerance is one of the nation’s strongest values and a cornerstone of its identity.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he stated.
President Tinubu further pledged to strengthen cooperation with the United States and the international community to protect all religious communities and deepen mutual understanding.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” he concluded.
The president’s remarks come amid renewed global scrutiny over religious relations in Nigeria, with Tinubu insisting that the country’s unity and diversity remain its greatest strength.
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