The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a robust response to the United States' recent classification of the country as a 'Country of Particular Concern' for religious freedom, firmly rejecting the designation as unfounded and inaccurate.
Official Rebuttal from Abuja
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Nigerian government expressed disappointment with the US State Department's assessment, maintaining that Nigeria has robust constitutional protections for religious freedom and actively promotes interfaith harmony.
'The designation does not reflect the realities on ground in Nigeria and undermines the country's efforts at promoting religious freedom and tolerance,' the statement read.
Constitutional Protections Highlighted
Officials emphasized that Nigeria's constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The government pointed to several key protections:
- Constitutional guarantees for all citizens to practice their religion of choice
- Active engagement with religious leaders across faith traditions
- Government initiatives promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding
- Legal frameworks protecting places of worship and religious expression
Questioning the Assessment Methodology
The Federal Government raised concerns about the methodology used in the US assessment, suggesting it may have relied on incomplete information or outdated reports rather than engaging directly with Nigerian authorities to understand the comprehensive measures being implemented.
'We urge our international partners to engage in constructive dialogue and acknowledge the significant progress Nigeria has made in protecting religious rights,' the statement continued.
Call for Bilateral Engagement
Rather than unilateral designations, the Nigerian government called for increased bilateral engagement and cooperation on human rights issues, emphasizing the importance of partnership in addressing complex social challenges.
The response concludes by reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to protecting the religious rights of all citizens while continuing to work toward greater interfaith understanding and national unity.
