ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has said it is calm and not in any panic mode over the United States’ position on the alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria, insisting that the matter is being addressed through diplomatic dialogue and not confrontation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
Idris confirmed that the Tinubu administration has already opened channels of discussion with the United States Government, emphasizing that Nigeria prefers a diplomatic approach to resolving concerns raised by Washington.
“The government of Nigeria is responding to the genuine concerns raised — and the politics of it aside, we are genuinely taking the issues seriously,” the minister stated.
He assured that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety of every Nigerian, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation.
“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the government. Our Constitution guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether the U.S. position had unsettled the administration, Idris said President Tinubu and his cabinet remain focused and calm.
“The government of Nigeria is very stable. The President is calm. The Federal Executive Council members are calm. That is not to discountenance the issue. Yes, there are security challenges, but the government is responding responsibly and decisively,” he explained.
The minister added that the Tinubu government is maintaining a careful balance between domestic stability and international cooperation in handling sensitive security and religious matters.
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Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious tolerance, Idris stated that the Tinubu administration will continue to uphold the rights of all citizens to freely practice their faith.
“Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion. Whatever your faith, our Constitution guarantees your right to practice it freely,” he said.
“The government will continue to impress upon security agencies to maintain law and order across the country. We are doing more to ensure that every citizen is safe and that concerns from within and outside the country are taken seriously,” the minister added.
Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with international allies, including the United States, in addressing terrorism, cross-border crime, and violent extremism.
“Nigeria has porous borders, and we are working closely with regional and international partners to address these issues. Issues of terrorism and violence are not peculiar to one country — they require joint effort,” he stated.
The minister concluded that while the government acknowledges existing challenges, it is handling them with “responsibility, stability, and in the best interest of the Nigerian people.”
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