The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has warned against renewed moves to classify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution, cautioning that such a move would undermine fragile reconciliation efforts and embolden extremist groups.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in Vatican City at the global launch of the 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Kukah urged foreign governments, particularly the United States, to exercise restraint and support Nigeria’s ongoing internal peace-building initiatives instead of imposing punitive designations.
According to the text of his address obtained by our correspondent, the cleric noted that although incidents of impunity and religious intolerance still exist, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated “genuine signs of inclusion” that should be encouraged, not punished.
“Acts of impunity still persist, but it is my considered view that redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Concern will hurt the initiatives we are currently working on with the government,” Kukah said.
“Such a decision will only increase tensions, sow seeds of suspicion, and create fertile ground for extremists and criminals to exploit. It will make our efforts at interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding even harder.”
The Bishop’s comments come amid fresh debates in Washington over whether Nigeria should be reinstated on the U.S. State Department’s CPC list, a designation first imposed in 2020 under former President Donald Trump but later lifted by President Joe Biden in 2021.
The decision to delist Nigeria had sparked sharp divisions among advocacy groups and religious communities.
Kukah, a long-time advocate for interfaith dialogue and national cohesion, stressed that global partners should focus on strengthening Nigeria’s internal reconciliation mechanisms instead of imposing external sanctions that could derail progress.
“What Nigeria needs now is vigilance and support from organisations such as ACN and civil society groups to continue pressing for reforms. We should be supported and encouraged in this mission, not punished,” he said.
Highlighting recent efforts by the Tinubu administration to promote inclusion, the Catholic prelate pointed out that despite both the President and Vice President being Muslims, Christians have not felt alienated from governance.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, the Director of the Department of State Services, and even the National Chairman of the ruling party are Christians. These are confidence-building measures that must be acknowledged,” Kukah said.
He described the current gestures as early steps toward rebuilding trust and national unity after what he termed “eight wasted years of religious division” under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The Buhari years were the darkest period in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria. His policies and appointments openly favoured Islam and northern Nigeria. Power was structured in a way that alienated Christians and gave ideological oxygen to extremists”, Kukah declared.
Kukah recalled that under Buhari’s leadership, key positions in government and the security sector were almost entirely dominated by northern Muslims, a pattern he said legitimised exclusion and deepened national divisions.
“The difference between President Buhari and the jihadists was that he used the pen while they used weapons,” he remarked pointedly.
Despite Nigeria’s continuing security and economic challenges, Kukah expressed guarded optimism about the country’s direction under Tinubu, noting that early signs suggest a willingness to embrace diversity and dialogue.
“Our nation is still bleeding, but there are indications of a government willing to listen. This is the time to build on progress, not to fracture it,” he concluded.
