Bishop Kukah
By Iyunade Grace
Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has urged the US government not to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), warning that such a move would increase tensions, sow doubt, and allow perpetrators of violence to exploit the situation. Speaking at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACIN) 2025 report on religious freedom in the world, held at the Augustinianum hall in Vatican City, Kukah emphasized that Nigerians “feel vulnerable and unprotected irrespective of their faiths, ethnicity or social classes.
Kukah’s plea comes amid renewed debate over whether Nigeria should be reinstated on the US State Department’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations. The designation, first made in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump, was later removed by President Joe Biden in 2021. US lawmakers have increasingly called on President Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria owing to claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria. Senator Ted Cruz proposed a bill to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria, alleging that the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari “marked the worst phase in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria, especially relating to violence against Christians and their exclusion from power.
Kukah argued that redesignating Nigeria as a CPC would undermine ongoing initiatives to address challenges and alleged “persecution of Christians”. He noted that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has shown “genuine signs of inclusion” that should be encouraged, not punished. The bishop emphasized that Nigeria needs support to build peace, not labels that isolate it. He also criticized past US administrations, alleging that the Obama and Biden administrations’ refusal to sell arms to Nigeria during the Goodluck Jonathan presidency weakened the fight against Boko Haram
Kukah’s comments were echoed by presidential aide Daniel Bwala, who alleged that a “coordinated agenda” is underway among US lawmakers and lobbyists to manipulate President Trump into sanctioning Nigeria by falsely branding it a country that persecutes religious minorities. The federal government has repeatedly denied claims of genocide, emphasizing Nigeria’s religious diversity and inclusivity, with Christians holding senior positions in the security services
