Nigeria’s First Lady Addresses Christian Persecution Concerns, Rejects Genocide Label
Washington — Nigeria, a nation grappling with over a decade of deadly violence, faces increasing international scrutiny regarding the potential for genocide. In an exclusive interview with CBN News on February 23, 2026, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, challenged claims of systematic extermination of Christians, attributing the violence to a complex interplay of regional conflicts, poverty, terrorism, and political instability as the country approaches its 2027 elections.
Tinubu Disputes Claims of Genocide
When directly asked about the possibility of genocide, Tinubu repeatedly responded, “I don’t think so.” She argued that framing the violence solely as a religious conflict could be counterproductive, potentially emboldening terrorist groups. “When you have terrorists and people kidnapping for money, and when the world is throwing in a narrative that is Christian genocide, {terrorists} will have hit on that and begin to attack churches,” she explained.
Complexities of Religious Violence in Nigeria
Nigeria is deeply divided, with a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south. While acknowledging the suffering of Christians, Tinubu emphasized that thousands of Muslims have also been killed in the ongoing violence. Critics, yet, contend that Christians are disproportionately targeted, facing not only death but also kidnapping for ransom, loss of property, and forced marriages. According to Open Doors’ World Watch List, more than 70 percent of Christians killed worldwide in recent years have died in Nigeria.
Personal Experiences with Religious Bias
Tinubu, an ordained Pentecostal pastor, revealed she has personally experienced religious bias due to her marriage to President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim. She recounted an incident where a Muslim cleric publicly referred to her as a “heathen.” “Most of the people who spoke up for me are from the North,” she noted, suggesting that religious divisions are often more nuanced than commonly portrayed. Her nearly four-decade interfaith marriage serves, in her view, as a model for coexistence.
Government Response and International Support
Despite rejecting the genocide label, Tinubu welcomed international support in combating terrorism. She specifically thanked former President Trump for the missile strikes carried out against terrorist holdouts on Christmas Day, stating, “We thank President Trump for what he did for us. This {was} the first Christmas that no one was attacked.” The Tinubu administration has authorized expanded joint military operations, increased intelligence sharing with the United States, and plans to recruit 20,000 additional police and security personnel.
Skepticism Remains
Despite these efforts, critics remain skeptical, arguing that the government’s response comes too late and at too high a cost, given the tens of thousands of lives lost and millions displaced. During a diplomatic visit to Washington in early February, the First Lady engaged in what observers described as a “charm offensive,” promoting trade and strengthening U.S.-Nigeria relations. President Trump publicly recognized her at the National Prayer Breakfast, praising her as a national leader and Christian pastor.
A Call for Peace and Reconciliation
Tinubu emphasized her commitment to rebuilding “the broken walls” of her country through youth engagement, education, and women’s health initiatives. She believes that faith, and specifically her relationship with Jesus, is essential to maintaining peace within her marriage and, by extension, within Nigeria. “If I’m going to enjoy my marriage, Jesus has to come in and supply me that peace,” she said. “My husband is a good man.”
The ongoing violence in Nigeria continues to raise questions about the government’s ability to stem the bloodshed and convince both its citizens and the international community that it is seriously addressing terrorism and religious violence. For the families displaced and grieving, a resolution cannot come soon enough.