By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom and tolerance, insisting that the country remains a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees that protect citizens of all faiths.

In a statement posted on his official X handle, @OfficialABAT, on Saturday, the President said his administration had, since 2023, maintained open dialogue with both Christian and Muslim leaders while addressing security challenges affecting citizens across all regions and religions.

He dismissed portrayals of Nigeria as a nation plagued by religious intolerance, saying such depictions do not reflect the country’s reality or the government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief.

“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,” Tinubu stated.

The President reiterated that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equal protection for citizens regardless of their faith, pledging that his administration would continue to uphold these fundamental principles.

He further noted that Nigeria remains open to constructive engagement with the United States and the wider international community to promote understanding and cooperation in protecting faith-based communities.

“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.