Nigerian Catholic clergy expressed a range of perspectives on the proposed U.S. measures and the broader issue of religious persecution in Nigeria
Newsroom (16/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) Catholic leaders in Nigeria have offered mixed reactions to a recent push by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urging the Trump administration to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to alleged persecution of Christians. The call, backed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) through legislation introduced in September, would also impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian officials linked to jihadist attacks against Christians and other religious minorities.
In interviews with ACI Africa, on Oct. 14, Nigerian Catholic clergy expressed a range of perspectives on the proposed U.S. measures and the broader issue of religious persecution in the West African nation.
Father Maximilian Okpong Peter, curate of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Abuja, endorsed Cruz’s concerns, describing them as reflective of Nigeria’s stark reality. “Persecution in Nigeria cannot be viewed in isolation. It is tied to deep sociopolitical divisions and bad governance,” Okpong said, emphasizing that education and unity could counter divisive forces. He urged Nigerian authorities to prioritize human life and dignity, calling for “a sincere commitment to justice and equal protection.”
Okpong also highlighted the manipulation of religion as a tool for division. “People use religion as a basis for violence because it is the easiest way to divide people,” he said. “For us Christians, even as we struggle, we must believe that God is one. The only thing that binds us together is love.”
Father Solomon Patrick Zaku, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Nigeria, acknowledged the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges. “The insecurity in Nigeria affects all—Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers—but Christians have suffered in unique ways,” Zaku said. He noted regional disparities, such as difficulties for Christians in securing land for churches or employment due to their faith, and restrictions on practicing their religion in some areas due to fear of violence.
Commenting on Cruz’s claim that over 52,000 Christians have been killed, Zaku said the figure, while possibly outdated, reflects the toll of years of violence, particularly since the Boko Haram insurgency began over 15 years ago. “Most of the affected communities were Christian-populated areas,” he added.
In contrast, Father Lawrence Emehel, national director of mission and dialogue at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, questioned the timing of Cruz’s proposal. “The situation today is not as widespread or as dangerous as it used to be,” said Emehel, a priest in the Sokoto Diocese. He argued that Nigeria’s earlier removal from the CPC list was misguided, as Christian persecution was then at its peak, but maintained that current violence is less religiously driven. Citing recent attacks in Yelewata, Benue state, and other Middle Belt regions, Emehel described them as “pure criminality” rather than faith-based aggression.
Emehel criticized the Nigerian government’s failure to address insecurity effectively, stating, “Nigerian lives no longer matter. People are now just statistics.” While acknowledging some improvement in recent years, he cautioned against framing all violence as religious, warning that such a narrative could complicate resolution efforts.
Leo Okwesi, a Nigerian civil engineer and filmmaker, supported Cruz’s call as a necessary wake-up for Nigeria’s leaders. “We can’t handle our security risks in this country,” Okwesi said, lamenting the government’s failure to protect citizens. He advocated for international pressure, including sanctions, to compel accountability. “Maybe when there’s a restriction to this mass exodus abroad, we’ll be forced to fix things here,” he told ACI Africa.
The diverse views among Nigeria’s Catholic leaders underscore the complexity of addressing religious persecution and insecurity in the country, as well as the broader challenge of governance and national unity. As the U.S. considers its next steps, Nigerian voices continue to call for both local and international action to protect vulnerable communities.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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