Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has firmly dismissed recent claims of genocide in the country, describing them as “unfounded and misleading.”
Reacting to growing international discussions on religious freedom, Tuggar took to X (formerly Twitter) to set the record straight, insisting that no act of genocide has ever occurred in Nigeria. “For the avoidance of any doubt, and out of respect for all victims and survivors of this appalling crime, let the record show that there is no genocide, now or ever, in Nigeria,” he wrote.
The Minister’s statement follows heightened global focus on reports of religious and ethnic violence in parts of the country, with some rights groups and U.S. officials expressing concern over rising attacks on Christian communities. Reaffirming the federal government’s position, Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria remains a God-fearing, inclusive nation that values peace, tolerance, and diversity, while working with international allies to ensure stability across West Africa. He added that Nigeria continues to confront violent extremism driven by “special interests” seeking to sow division across the region, paying tribute to the armed forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation.
“Like America, Nigeria celebrates diversity as our greatest strength,” Tuggar stated. “The U.S. has been—and we trust will always remain—a close ally, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains committed to genuine peace, freedom, and democracy.”
