Bishop Kukah and Cardinal Parolin highlight Nigeria’s complex faith dynamics, emphasizing dialogue and education to address jihadist violence and foster coexistence.
Newsroom (24/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In Nigeria’s northern Sokoto region, where Islam predominates, the Christian minority navigates a delicate balance of faith, coexistence, and sporadic violence. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, offers a nuanced perspective on these dynamics in an exclusive interview with Fides. His insights, paired with recent remarks from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, highlight the intricate interplay of religion, history, and social factors in Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with jihadist violence.
Bishop Kukah on Coexistence in Sokoto
Bishop Kukah, a prominent voice in Nigerian interfaith dialogue, emphasizes that Christians in Sokoto do not face outright persecution but encounter subtle restrictions. “We don’t have serious problems,” he told Fides, noting that processions with the Blessed Sacrament occur without incident on Sokoto’s streets. However, challenges persist, such as limitations on teaching Catholic religion in public schools and bureaucratic obstacles to obtaining permits for new churches. These issues, he believes, can be addressed through dialogue. “Our relations with the Muslim community are friendly,” Kukah added, citing his close ties with Muslim friends and collaboration with Sokoto’s Muslim governor.
Kukah identifies two primary drivers of jihadist violence in northern Nigeria. First, he points to historical resentment stemming from British colonialism, which dismantled a Muslim caliphate that once spanned parts of present-day Mali, Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Some Muslims associate Christianity with colonial exploitation, a misconception that fuels tensions. Second, he highlights the education crisis: 20 to 25 million children, 90% in northern Nigeria, remain out of school. Many poor families fear that education could lead to Christian conversion, while the region’s Muslim elite often fail to address this gap. This creates fertile ground for groups like Boko Haram, whose name translates to “Western education is forbidden,” to exploit discontent and recruit fighters. Notably, Kukah stresses that jihadist violence claims more Muslim lives than Christian ones, underscoring its indiscriminate nature.
Cardinal Parolin’s Remarks Spark Debate
The complexity of Nigeria’s challenges was thrust into the spotlight by Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s remarks at a press conference for Aid to the Church in Need’s (ACN) 2025 Religious Freedom Report on October 21, 2025. Parolin described Nigeria’s violence as a “social conflict” rather than a purely religious one, citing tensions between herders and farmers. “Many Muslims who come to Nigeria are victims of this intolerance,” he said, emphasizing that extremist groups target anyone opposing their goals, regardless of faith.
These comments drew sharp criticism. Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom International called them “particularly shocking,” while Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute accused Parolin of echoing the Nigerian government’s narrative, which she claims downplays anti-Christian persecution in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The backlash prompted Marta Petrosillo, author of ACN’s 2025 Religious Freedom Report, to defend Parolin in an October 23 interview on EWTN’s The World Over with Raymond Arroyo. “Cardinal Parolin didn’t say [the conflict was solely between farmers and herders],” Petrosillo clarified. “His speech was really strong, underlining the importance of religious freedom.” She suggested that Parolin’s remarks were taken out of context, reflecting the complexity of Nigeria’s situation rather than a dismissal of anti-Christian violence.
Petrosillo further noted that the ACN report documents violations of religious freedom across all groups, not just Christians. “In the case of Nigeria, there are specific anti-Christian incidents, but we are not saying that only Christians are targeted,” she told Arroyo, pointing out that Muslims who reject extremist ideologies are also killed.
A Path Toward Coexistence
Bishop Kukah remains cautiously optimistic about Nigeria’s future. He acknowledges that the period from 2014 to 2023, under President Muhammadu Buhari, saw heightened violence due to an imbalance in government appointments that favored Muslims and emboldened jihadist groups. However, since President Bola Tinubu—a Muslim married to a Pentecostal pastor—took office in 2023, Kukah sees a renewed commitment to democracy and inclusivity. “I’m optimistic that his leadership can foster peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The perspectives of Kukah and Parolin, though distinct, converge on a critical point: Nigeria’s challenges defy simplistic narratives of religious persecution. Historical grievances, educational disparities, and social tensions all contribute to the violence. As Petrosillo emphasized, the ACN report aims to highlight violations against all religious groups, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to fostering peace. In Sokoto and beyond, dialogue, education, and inclusive governance remain essential to bridging divides and building a unified Nigeria.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA and Fides
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