President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a democratic nation grounded in constitutional protections for religious liberty, dismissing characterisations that portray the country as intolerant.

Tinubu emphasized that since the assumption of office in 2023, his administration has maintained open engagement with leaders of both Christian and Muslim communities while tackling security challenges that cut across regions and religions.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” the President stated, noting that the government continues to ensure that all citizens can freely practice their faith.

He stressed that religious freedom and tolerance remain core values in Nigeria’s national identity, adding that the government neither supports nor condones persecution on religious grounds.

Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria’s constitutional framework guarantees equal protection to citizens of all faiths, and that his administration is committed to collaborating with the United States and other international partners to enhance the safety and coexistence of religious communities.

“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” he said.