The Federal Government has dismissed the Christian genocide allegation as false propaganda aimed at tarnishing Nigeria’s international image
Christian genocide allegation claims have again been firmly rejected by the Federal Government, which described them as false and malicious propaganda designed to damage Nigeria’s global reputation.
Also read: Christian Association of Nigeria clarifies genocide claims
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris made the statement on Monday in Abuja during the National Unveiling of the World Public Relations Forum, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
According to Idris, the so-called Christian genocide narrative was part of a “foreign-sponsored campaign” aimed at sowing division and weakening the nation’s unity.
The claims resurfaced last month after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, in a podcast with television host Bill Maher, alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being “systematically targeted and killed”—a situation he labelled as genocide.
Both Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed the accusation, suggesting government complicity.
However, the Nigerian authorities swiftly refuted the claims, insisting that the nation’s insecurity stems from terrorism, banditry, and criminality, not religion.
Last Thursday, the Senate also dismissed the allegations as “false, divisive, and capable of undermining national unity.”
Reinforcing that stance, Idris said, “This is propaganda externally woven by those who want to weaken our unity.
For the umpteenth time, I am emphatic that there’s no iota of truth in the claim of a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria.
“I therefore urge us to use the instruments of public relations, crafted in truths and facts, to vehemently reject these despicable single narratives about Nigeria.”
The minister urged Nigerians to be cautious of such narratives, noting that the country’s diversity and democratic resilience should not be misrepresented as religious persecution.
“We must come to terms with existential reputational threats to our national brand, in which external purveyors of untruth are mischaracterising our nation as a destination for persecution of people based on their religious faiths,” he added.
He further maintained that Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, is “reforming, rebranding, and re-emerging—driven by innovation, private sector growth, and renewed international confidence.”
Calling for responsible communication, Idris said: “We must become the voice of responsibility—the voice of the world that heals divisions, inspires hope, and drives development.”
At the same event, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Dr Yahaya Abubakar, praised the organisers for their foresight and pledged full traditional support for the global forum.
Former Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, also commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its innovation and plans to establish a university by 2026.
“My happiness is that NIPR is institutionalising itself as a proper organisation because they have always been first in many things,” he said, expressing optimism that the forum would help reshape global perceptions of Nigeria.
He added, “Now that we don’t have ambassadors, we need people to come, so that when they leave, they will be saying, oh, this Nigeria is not what they have read about.”
Also read: Barry Malone refutes false Nigeria genocide claim
The Christian genocide allegation has thus become another flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing battle to defend its image amid persistent misinformation on global platforms.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
