The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Prof. Nazila Ghanea, has said there is no evidence that mass killings, displacement, abductions and other violent incidents in Nigeria are systematically targeted at a particular religious group in a manner that would amount to religious persecution.
Presenting preliminary observations from her June 8 to 19 visit to Nigeria, Ghanea said while horrific attacks continue to occur in parts of the country, she found no indication of a coordinated government policy aimed at destroying any religious community. She argued that inadequate responses to repeated violence and delays in delivering justice often create the perception of official complicity.
According to her, victims who have lost loved ones, religious leaders and places of worship understandably describe their experiences as persecution or genocide because authorities have failed to prevent recurring attacks or hold perpetrators accountable. She noted that repeated violence without visible justice naturally fuels suspicions among affected communities.
Ghanea acknowledged that the scale of killings witnessed in some parts of Nigeria could qualify as genocide under international standards but stressed that her assessment did not reveal evidence of intentional state-sponsored religious persecution. She explained that her mission focused on examining freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as violations committed in the name of religion.
The UN expert observed that the right to freedom of religion is not enjoyed equally across the country, citing incidents where individuals were killed over allegations of blasphemy. She also highlighted tensions arising from Nigeria’s plural legal system, particularly in northern states where laws relating to blasphemy, hate speech and criminal punishment may conflict with constitutional guarantees.
Ghanea criticised the widespread practice of requiring Nigerians to declare their religion on official and private sector forms, noting that international human rights law and Nigeria’s Constitution protect citizens from being compelled to disclose their beliefs. She said religion often appears to influence appointments, employment opportunities and access to public services.
Despite these concerns, Ghanea commended the resilience of Nigerian civil society, victims and young people working towards a more inclusive society. She expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the expertise and capacity to fully guarantee religious freedom, adding that her comprehensive report on the visit will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2027.
