The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that a high-level Federal Government delegation to the United States, led by National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is actively addressing misleading narratives suggesting religious persecution in Nigeria.
“We are not leaving any space for misinformation to stand. Our officials are in Washington with facts, data, and a clear message, which is that there is no government-sponsored persecution of any religious group in Nigeria,” said Idris in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, aired Saturday evening.
The Minister explained that the Nigerian delegation has met with the Secretary of War, members of the US Congress, officials of the State Department, and other American stakeholders, providing evidence-based information about Nigeria’s security challenges. They have delivered detailed briefings on counter terrorism operations, inter-agency security coordination, and efforts to protect all Nigerian citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
These engagements, according to the Minister, are crucial for correcting misconceptions amplified during recent congressional discussions and advocacy campaigns.
“Our mission is simple,” he said. “We are showing our partners the full context of the security situation, the steps the government is taking, and the fact that extremists have killed both Christians and Muslims. These narratives of genocide are not only incorrect, they are dangerous.”
The Minister emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu views the situation with utmost seriousness, having strengthened Nigeria’s internal security and expanded international cooperation to support counter-terrorism and intelligence operations.
He stated that the mission of the delegation underscores the determination of President Tinubu’s government to defend Nigeria’s reputation and ensure foreign partners base their decisions on verified information, not one-sided narratives.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States remains strong, and that the engagements demonstrate the openness of the Tinubu administration to dialogue, partnership, and transparency. More follow-up meetings are expected as part of a structured government-wide response to misinformation about Nigeria’s security realities.
The Minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, assuring the public that the government will continue to confront insecurity while engaging the international community to ensure accurate representation of Nigeria on the global stage.
