The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly dismissed claims by former US President Donald Trump that Christians in Nigeria are being subjected to genocide, calling the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” misleading and politically motivated.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the council’s National Secretary, described the allegations as a dangerous narrative designed to inflame religious tensions and destabilize Nigeria. According to Oloyede, there is no evidence that Nigerian Muslims are targeting Christians; instead, insecurity across the country is driven by terrorism, organized crime, poverty, and climate-related displacement, which have fueled violent clashes over resources and affected communities of all faiths.
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria. Both Muslims and Christians are victims of terrorists and criminal gangs,” Oloyede said. “These attackers do not represent Islam. They kill Muslims, destroy mosques, and target everyone indiscriminately.”
The council pointed to independent research, including reports from Amnesty International and other global conflict monitors, which found that the level of violence in Nigeria does not meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
Oloyede alleged that the push to label Nigeria a religious persecution hotspot gained momentum after the country reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution in Palestine at the United Nations. He claimed that far-right and pro-Israeli groups were using the narrative to divert global attention from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“The agenda is clear: distraction and destabilization. The quickest way to weaken Nigeria is to inflame religious tension,” he said.
The Islamic Council called on Nigerians of all faiths to reject foreign interference and resist attempts to portray genuine security challenges as sectarian conflicts. Oloyede urged the United States to withdraw its statement and instead provide practical support, such as intelligence sharing and logistical aid, to help Nigeria combat terrorism effectively.
“We will not allow foreign interests to divide our nation. We stand firmly for unity, peace, and justice,” he concluded.
In addition, the council appealed to the Nigerian government to strengthen national security, identify and prosecute the sponsors of banditry, and protect all citizens regardless of religion. This statement follows President Trump’s previous threats of military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians a designation that the Nigerian government has consistently rejected while calling on international partners to support its anti-terrorism efforts.