By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE FEDERAL Government has reaffirmed its position as a democracy firmly governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty, maintaining that national policies and engagements continue to uphold freedom of religion and belief for all citizens.
According to a statement signed by President Bola Tinubu in a release on Saturday afternoon, the administration has, since 2023, sustained open and active engagement with both Christians and Muslims leaders across the country to address security challenges affecting citizens irrespective of faith or region.
The President added that recent portrayals of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation do not reflect its national reality.
He noted that such characterisations fail to consider the consistent and sincere efforts of the administration to preserve and strengthen the constitutional rights of Nigerians to practise their religion without fear or discrimination.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the statement read.
The Presidency also reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have been core principles of the Nigerian state since independence, forming a key aspect of the country’s collective identity.
It reaffirmed that the Federal Republic of Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it” under any circumstances.
Highlighting the nation’s constitutional structure, the statement stressed that Nigeria remains a country with clear legal and institutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.
These provisions, it said, are backed by constitutional safeguards ensuring equality before the law and freedom of conscience for all Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” it said, adding that this principle stands as a cornerstone of the national democratic order and will continue to guide government policy and engagement.
The administration further emphasised its determination to foster unity, dialogue, and understanding among diverse religious communities.
It stressed that such collaboration forms part of broader national efforts to maintain peace, strengthen coexistence, and prevent conflicts arising from ethnic or religious divisions.
Since the inception of the current administration, regular consultations have been held with leading clerics, interfaith councils, and regional religious organisations to enhance cooperation on issues of peacebuilding and social cohesion.
The government explained that these engagements aim to consolidate a shared vision of national unity grounded in mutual respect among followers of all faiths.
“The administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” the statement confirmed.
Reiterating Nigeria’s partnership with the international community, the President affirmed that the government is committed to working closely with the United States and other partners to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” it stated.
The President also explained that the government’s approach to religious harmony aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights conventions, which safeguard freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
It added that the administration remains resolute in ensuring that constitutional guarantees translate into tangible protection and equal opportunities for every citizen.
The statement reaffirmed that religious liberty and tolerance are fundamental elements of Nigeria’s democratic governance.
It declared that these values will remain non-negotiable as the administration continues to pursue policies designed to promote inclusion, justice, and security for all.
President Bola Tinubu further reaffirmed his government’s position, noting that respect for religious diversity is intrinsic to Nigeria’s democratic character.
He restated that the state would continue to uphold every citizen’s right to worship freely without interference or intimidation.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” the President declared.
His statement concluded by assuring both local and international stakeholders that the Federal Government remains firmly committed to preserving Nigeria’s democratic foundations and to advancing an inclusive environment where citizens of every faith can live, work, and worship in peace.
