Despite denials, Nigerian Senate sets up committee to address concerns of alleged persecution of Christians

The Nigerian Senate has constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to advise the National Assembly on how to address rising international concerns over allegations of state-backed persecution of Christians in the country.

The decision followed a closed-door session on Tuesday, during which lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States government suggesting possible acts of genocide against Christians in some parts of Nigeria.

The Senate’s move comes amid heightened diplomatic scrutiny and growing anxiety about the implications of such allegations for Nigeria’s global standing and interfaith harmony.

The Nigerian government and Senate had earlier denied the allegations of Christian genocide in the country.
Members of the committee include Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong, among others.

The committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive position paper to be presented to both the Executive and the legislature. The document is expected to articulate Nigeria’s legislative stance on the issue and guide the country’s engagement in ongoing international dialogues.

Announcing the committee’s formation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for the report to be supported by verifiable facts and statistics.

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Earlier, the upper chamber had resolved to open discussions with the United States Congress to counter what it described as misleading narratives portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a campaign of Christian genocide.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, which prompted a broader debate on the international misrepresentation of Nigeria’s internal security situation.

During the session, lawmakers voiced concern that such narratives, though sometimes driven by genuine humanitarian concern, have misinformed international partners and damaged the nation’s image and economy.

Akpabio proposed that a smaller delegation from the Senate undertake a visit to the United States to directly engage with American lawmakers and clarify the country’s security realities.

“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected. We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it is important that our counterparts in the US understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims,” Akpabio said.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim also stressed the need for Nigeria’s counterterrorism approach to be informed by data-driven and knowledge-based strategies.

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