The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, offers a nuanced perspective on the dynamics of faith, coexistence, and the roots of jihadist violence in the region.
Newsroom (23/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In the heart of northern Nigeria, Sokoto stands as a predominantly Muslim region where the Christian minority faces unique challenges. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, offers a nuanced perspective on the dynamics of faith, coexistence, and the roots of jihadist violence in the region. In an exclusive interview with Fides, Bishop Kukah shares insights that challenge the narrative of a simplistic “clash of religions” and highlights the complexities of life in Sokoto.
Fides: Bishop Kukah, can you describe the current situation for Christians in your diocese?
Bishop Kukah: In Sokoto, we don’t face outright persecution, but we do encounter restrictions on our freedom. These are not specifically about religious freedom—processions with the Blessed Sacrament, for instance, can take place on Sokoto’s streets without issue. The challenges lie elsewhere, such as limitations on teaching Catholic religion in public schools and bureaucratic hurdles for obtaining permits to build new places of worship. These are issues we can address through dialogue and negotiation. Overall, I’d say we don’t have serious problems. Our relations with the Muslim community are friendly. I have close Muslim friends, and we work collaboratively with the state governor, who is Muslim.
Fides: What do you see as the root causes of jihadist violence in northern Nigeria?
Bishop Kukah: There are two key factors. First, history plays a significant role. Before modern Nigeria emerged in the 19th century, northern Nigeria was part of a Muslim caliphate spanning parts of present-day Mali, Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso. British colonialism dismantled this empire, leaving a lingering resentment among some in the Islamic community. Many associate Christianity with colonialism, mistakenly believing missionaries came to conquer rather than serve, unlike the colonial powers who exploited resources.
The second factor is education—or the lack thereof. Since the 1960s, Nigeria’s federal government has pushed for universal education, but 20 to 25 million children, 90% of them in northern Nigeria, remain out of school. Many poor families in the north fear that schooling might lead their children to convert to Christianity. Meanwhile, the Muslim elite in the region often receive excellent educations but fail to address this broader issue. This creates fertile ground for misinformation about Christianity, fueling frustration that sometimes erupts in violence, like burning churches. Groups like Boko Haram, whose name translates to “Western education is forbidden,” exploit this discontent to recruit fighters. It’s worth noting, however, that jihadist violence has claimed more Muslim lives than Christian ones, according to the data.
Fides: In the United States, there are proposals for federal legislation to sanction the Nigerian government for allegedly failing to protect Christians. What is your view on this?
Bishop Kukah: The narrative that Christians in Nigeria are systematically persecuted isn’t entirely accurate. While we can’t deny instances of violence, the worst period was between 2014 and 2023 under President Muhammadu Buhari. His administration disrupted the traditional balance between Muslims and Christians in high-level government roles and placed Muslim officers in charge of key security agencies. This emboldened jihadist groups, who perceived Islam as dominant and intensified their attacks. Since 2023, however, President Bola Tinubu—a Muslim married to a Pentecostal pastor—has shown a stronger commitment to preserving democracy and protecting the rights of all Nigerians. I’m optimistic that his leadership can foster peaceful coexistence across the country’s diverse populations.
Bishop Kukah’s reflections offer a window into the delicate balance of faith and coexistence in Sokoto, underscoring the importance of dialogue, education, and historical context in addressing Nigeria’s challenges. His optimism for a more inclusive future under new leadership provides hope for a nation striving for unity amidst diversity.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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