By Usman Abdulkadir Taleeki
In my column this week, I will discuss a topic in a way I have never done before. Anyone familiar with my writings knows that I am a strong advocate for Nigeria being one united nation, where the problems of any individual are treated as everyone’s concern. Achieving this unity is not a simple task in a country of over 230 million people, with more than 250 languages, multiple religious affiliations, and competing political and social interests. Differences of opinion regarding national matters are expected and natural, but recent events have revealed deeply troubling trends, particularly in the media of southern Nigeria. These media outlets have been promoting a fabricated narrative of genocide against Christians a genocide that does not exist in reality. By spreading this false story, they are not merely criticizing the North, which they imagine is under threat, but they are undermining the stability and reputation of Nigeria as a whole, misinforming the public, and creating unnecessary fear and division.
The origin of this narrative can be traced to October of this year, when American comedian and television host Bill Maher first propagated the idea of a Christian genocide in Nigeria. On his show, he presented a highly sensationalized account, claiming that Christians were being systematically slaughtered in Nigeria. He said, “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.” This statement is factually inaccurate and misleading. While Nigeria does face significant security challenges, the numbers and conclusions presented by Maher are false and were not supported by any credible evidence.
Following this broadcast, many media outlets began amplifying this narrative, giving it national and international attention. The actual victims of this amplification are Nigerians themselves. While it might be understandable for people outside Nigeria to accept such reports at face value, Nigerians live here and know the reality: there is no systematic genocide against Christians. For over a decade, Nigeria has struggled with insecurity caused by multiple complex factors, including terrorism, banditry, intercommunal conflicts, and organized criminal networks. This insecurity affects all Nigerians and does not discriminate based on religion. Millions of people have been victims. Statistical data shows that around 80 percent of violent incidents occur in the North-East and North-West regions, which are predominantly Muslim areas. While Christians have been affected by insecurity, an even larger number of Muslims have been killed or displaced. The reality is that terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria are driven by social, economic, and political factors rather than the religious identity of victims.
It is also important to consider the composition of Nigeria’s top security and defense leadership. The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, is a Christian from Southern Kaduna. The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, is Christian. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, is Christian. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiandeye, is Christian. The Director-General of the State Security Service, Adeola Ajayi, is Christian. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is Christian. The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, is Christian. The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, is Christian. With such a representative and diverse leadership structure, it is logically impossible to claim that Christians are being systematically targeted within Nigeria’s security institutions. This fact alone undermines any credible argument for a religiously motivated genocide.
Despite these facts, southern Nigerian media continued to promote this false narrative. This led to tangible international consequences. On 31 October 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and announced the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing alleged mass killings of Christians by “radical Islamists.” From the start, this should have prompted careful examination and analysis. Efforts were made to explain to southern Nigerians that American interests are guided by broader geopolitical considerations rather than a genuine concern for Christians. Yet these explanations were largely ignored. The narrative persisted, amplified by sensational headlines and reports, and created the impression that Christians in Nigeria are under attack when the evidence does not support such a claim.
The consequences of this narrative became evident on 16 December 2025, when President Trump issued Proclamation 10998, partially suspending visa issuance for Nigeria. This policy did not target only Muslims in the North; it affected all Nigerians. Despite this, southern Nigerian media continued to portray Nigeria in a negative light, reinforcing a distorted story that served narrow interests rather than truth or national unity. The media’s coverage failed to contextualize the security challenges Nigeria faces, instead promoting fear and division both within the country and internationally.
The tragic incident of 24 December 2025 in Maiduguri further illustrates the dangers of this distortion. Bomb explosions inside a mosque claimed several lives and injured many. Yet Channel Television ran the headline: “Many Feared Dead As Bomb Blast Rocks Maiduguri On Christmas Eve.” The framing of this headline deliberately amplifies fear and subtly shifts the narrative. The attack occurred inside a mosque, yet the headline does not clearly convey this fact. More concerning are reactions on social media, where some southern Nigerians appear to exacerbate division and hatred, showing how misinformation can inflame tensions among citizens.
On the night of 25 December, the United States launched an airstrike in Sokoto, claiming it targeted ISIS members, a report confirmed by the Nigerian government. However, several questions remain. Why was Sokoto targeted instead of Maiduguri, the site of a deadly bomb blast the previous day? Why strike a location where ISIS is not known to have a significant presence? These events, combined with persistent media narratives, create the impression that external and internal actors are destabilizing Nigeria and that some media outlets are complicit in promoting fear and division. This is the essence of the comedy of errors: mistakes, misinformation, and deliberate misrepresentation converging to mislead the public and the world.
It must be emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria is a real and serious problem. People are killed, displaced, and properties, including mosques and churches, are destroyed. Every well-meaning Nigerian is concerned and advocates for concrete action to combat this menace. The international community should also contribute to these efforts. However, fabricating a narrative of genocide targeting a single religion, under the current circumstances, is false, misleading, and dangerous. Southern Nigerian media’s insistence on promoting this story not only misinforms the public but also undermines national unity and risks serious consequences for social cohesion and Nigeria’s international reputation.
For Nigeria to build a united and resilient society, we must confront insecurity with honesty and clarity. We cannot allow sensationalized narratives, amplified by partisan media and foreign commentary, to distort reality and divide the nation along religious or regional lines. The myth of a Christian genocide in Nigeria is exactly that a myth. Recognizing this truth is essential for national cohesion, for the safety and well-being of every Nigerian, and for the preservation of Nigeria’s reputation in the world.
Usman Abdulkadir Taleeki writes from Abuja, Nigeria, and can be reached via [email protected]
Tags
Opinion