No targeted killing of Christians in Nigeria, Keyamo writes Trump

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has refuted claims by U.S. President Donald Trump alleging mass or targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, insisting that such accusations do not reflect the realities in the country.

Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and long-standing human rights lawyer, issued the rebuttal in an open letter posted Wednesday on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He appealed to Trump to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism rather than rely on what he described as inaccurate external narratives.

Keyamo, who said he was born and raised as a Christian, reminded Trump of his decades-long activism, including receiving the Global Human Rights Award in Washington in 2017 from the United States Global Leadership Council.

He stated that, contrary to the allegations circulating internationally, Christians in Nigeria are not specifically targeted for persecution or killing on the basis of their faith.

“It would have been unconscionable for me to serve in any government that targets Christians,” Keyamo wrote.

“It is simply not true that Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution, killings, or harassment on account of their faith.”

According to the minister, Nigeria—like many nations—has faced violence from extremist and criminal groups such as Boko Haram, armed herdsmen, and cattle rustlers. He said these security challenges predate the current administration and have affected citizens of all religious backgrounds.

Keyamo added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite being Muslim, is widely regarded as a moderate leader with strong ties to the Christian community. He noted that Tinubu’s wife is a pastor in a major Pentecostal church, while many of his children are practising Christians.

He stressed that many of the service chiefs appointed by the president are Christians, arguing that it would be illogical to claim they were complicit in any faith-based killings.

“Nigeria is a secular state,” he said.

“Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the adoption of a state religion. The insecurity experienced in some regions has affected adherents of all faiths, and the government has never shielded one group at the expense of another.”

Keyamo pointed out that even opposition leaders—who typically challenge the government—have agreed that there is no targeted killing of Christians in the country.

The minister urged Trump and the U.S. government to seek more balanced information on Nigeria and collaborate with the Nigerian government to tackle the long-standing problems of terrorism and insurgency.

“The Nigerian people ask for sincere understanding, cooperation, and open dialogue with your government. We ask that you broaden your sources of information to gain a balanced view of events in Nigeria,” he wrote.

He concluded by calling for strengthened bilateral ties and reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace and religious harmony.

Keyamo signed the letter in his capacity as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).