By Ibrahim Adebowale
…Seeks U.S. cooperation to combat terrorism
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has refuted claims by U.S. President Donald Trump alleging mass or targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, insisting that such assertions misrepresent the country’s realities.
In an open letter posted Wednesday on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Keyamo urged Trump to engage more constructively with Nigeria in tackling terrorism instead of relying on what he described as “inaccurate external narratives.”
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Christian by birth, said it would be “unconscionable” for him to serve in a government that targets Christians. He maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges stem from extremist and criminal groups, not religious persecution.
“It is simply not true that Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution, killings, or harassment on account of their faith,” he wrote.
The minister explained that violence from Boko Haram, bandits, and armed herdsmen has affected Nigerians of all faiths. He cited President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive leadership, noting that Tinubu’s wife is a pastor, many of his children are Christians, and most of his service chiefs are also Christian.
“Nigeria is a secular state,” Keyamo stressed, adding that the Constitution guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the adoption of any state religion.
He further noted that even opposition figures have agreed that no systematic persecution of Christians exists in the country.
Keyamo appealed to Trump and the U.S. government to “broaden their sources of information” and work with Nigeria to confront terrorism and insurgency.
“The Nigerian people ask for sincere understanding, cooperation, and open dialogue with your government,” he wrote, calling for stronger U.S.–Nigeria relations and continued commitment to peace and religious harmony.
