President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with President Donald Trump and other leaders to end the incessant killings of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths,” Mr Tinubu said in a statement on Saturday, amid rising concerns over the continued attacks on Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria.

His comments came shortly after Mr Trump designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ following global calls for action against what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria.

According to Mr Trump, Christians in Nigeria face an “existential threat” and “radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter”.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Mr Trump stated. “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.”

Responding, Mr Tinubu reaffirmed that his government remains firmly committed to promoting peace, unity, and religious tolerance across Nigeria.

“Nigeria stands as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across faiths and regions,” he said. 

The president also dismissed portrayals of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, insisting that such characterisations “do not reflect our national reality” or the sincere efforts of his government to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.

“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,” Mr Tinubu said. “Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.”