The Federal Government has rejected reports suggesting that Christians are being targeted for genocide in Nigeria, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday in Abuja during the National Unveiling of the World Public Relations Forum with the theme “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
Idris said the allegations were part of a campaign by foreign groups trying to create division and damage the country’s image.
He explained that insecurity in Nigeria is not caused by religion but by terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities.
“This is propaganda from outside the country 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,” Idris said. “I therefore urge us to use the instruments of public relations, crafted in truths and facts, to reject these false narratives about Nigeria.”
The minister urged citizens to be careful about such narratives, noting that Nigeria’s diversity should not be portrayed as a form of persecution. He added that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, the country is being reformed and repositioned to attract international confidence.
“We must come to terms with reputational threats to our national image, where outsiders try to misrepresent our nation as a place of persecution,” Idris added.
He also called on communication professionals to promote responsible dialogue that encourages peace and development.
In his remarks, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, commended the organisers for their foresight and pledged traditional support for the global event.
Former Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, also praised the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its innovation and plans to establish a university by 2026. He expressed confidence that the upcoming global forum would help correct false impressions about Nigeria.
“Now that we don’t have ambassadors, we need people to come and see for themselves that Nigeria is not as bad as they have read,” Aliyu said.