The Federal Government has rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the allegations do not reflect the true situation in Nigeria.
Trump on Friday said Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” the US president said.

He added that when Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered as is happening in Nigeria — 3,100 compared to 4,476 worldwide — something must be done.
While acknowledging global interest in human rights and religious freedom, the Nigerian government stressed that reports of widespread persecution of Christians were exaggerated and failed to capture the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the statement noted, Nigeria remains committed to combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all citizens regardless of faith.

The Ministry also reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong bilateral ties with the United States despite Trump’s designation, emphasizing that both countries continue to cooperate closely on security, governance, and development issues.
“Nigeria will not relent in its efforts to engage constructively with the U.S. government to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the nation’s ongoing peace and security initiatives,” the statement read.

The Ministry attributed the reported attacks to violent extremist groups and criminal elements exploiting ethnic and religious fault lines across the West African and Sahel regions.
It reiterated that the Nigerian government is committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens, adding that the country remains a “God-fearing nation built on faith, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion, in accordance with the rules-based international order.”

The renewed U.S. scrutiny follows Trump’s comments linking Nigeria’s insecurity to targeted attacks against Christians, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions.
Although the government denies any organized persecution, it continues to confront threats from terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.

Reacting to Trump’s remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would “leave no stone unturned” in responding to what he described as a rising tide of Christian killings in Nigeria.

Posting on X, Rubio condemned the “wanton destruction of lives and property by radical Islamists and Fulani ethnic militias,” calling it “tragic and unacceptable.”
He added that the Trump-led administration “stands ready and willing to act” to address the situation.