Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has refuted claims by former United States President Donald Trump alleging mass or targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In an open letter posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Minister Keyamo said the allegations do not reflect the realities in the country.
He urged President Trump to seek accurate information and collaborate with Nigeria in addressing terrorism and insecurity.
“I was born and raised as a Christian in Nigeria,” Keyamo wrote.
“Because of my strong Christian background and ethical pedigree, it would have been unconscionable for me to serve or continue to serve in a government if truly there is any scintilla of truth in the assertion that Christians are specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution, killings, or harassment on account of their faith. It is simply not true.”
The minister said Nigeria, like other countries, has experienced violence from extremist and criminal groups such as Boko Haram, herdsmen and cattle rustlers.
He noted that the security challenges predate the current administration and have affected citizens of all faiths.
Keyamo said President Bola Tinubu, though Muslim, has demonstrated inclusion and tolerance, adding that his wife is a pastor and several of his children are practising Christians.
He also pointed out that many service chiefs appointed by the president are Christians.
“President Tinubu will be the last person to either adopt the killing of Christians as state policy or condone such acts or be complicit in them,” he said.
He emphasised that Nigeria is a secular state, and its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion while prohibiting the adoption of a state religion.
“In all honesty, the insecurity in some parts of the country over the years has impacted adherents of all religions, and this government has not sought to protect one set of adherents and ignore the others,” he added.
The minister further noted that even opposition leaders agree that there are no targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.
Keyamo, who said he has been a lawyer for more than three decades with a background in human rights advocacy, recalled receiving the Global Human Rights Award in Washington in 2017 from the United States Global Leadership Council.
He urged Trump and the U.S. government to engage Nigeria through cooperation and open dialogue to confront terrorism.
“The Nigerian people ask for deep and sincere understanding, support, and cooperation from your government to confront this decades-old menace of terrorism,” he wrote.
