Nigeria’s First Lady Disputes ‘Genocide’ Claims Amidst Rising Christian Killings
WASHINGTON – Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is grappling with a decade of escalating violence that has drawn international concern and sparked debate over whether the scale of attacks against Christians constitutes genocide. While acknowledging the severe persecution faced by Christians, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, a Pentecostal pastor, has publicly rejected the characterization of systematic extermination.
In an exclusive interview with CBN News, Tinubu described the violence as stemming from a complex interplay of regional conflicts, poverty, terrorism, and political instability, particularly as Nigeria approaches its 2027 election cycle. She warned that framing the conflict solely as a “Christian genocide” could inadvertently fuel further attacks by 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 said.
However, data paints a grim picture. According to Open Doors’ World Watch List, more than 70 percent of Christians killed worldwide in recent years have died in Nigeria. Critics argue that while Muslims have also been victims of violence, Christians are disproportionately targeted, facing not only death but also kidnapping for ransom, displacement, and forced marriage.
Tinubu herself has experienced religious discrimination, recounting an incident where a Muslim cleric publicly suggested she be stoned for being married to a Muslim, President Bola Tinubu. She noted that support largely came from the north of the country. “Most of the people who spoke up for me are from the North,” she said.
The Tinubu administration has taken steps to address the security crisis, authorizing expanded joint military operations, increased intelligence sharing with the United States, and plans to recruit an additional 20,000 police and security personnel. President Trump previously authorized missile strikes against terrorist holdouts in Nigeria on Christmas Day, a move welcomed by Tinubu and Nigerian Christian leaders. “We thank President Trump for what he did for us,” she told CBN News. “This {was} the first Christmas that no one was attacked.”
Despite these efforts, skepticism remains. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, leading critics to question whether the government’s response is sufficient.
During a recent diplomatic visit to Washington in February, Tinubu engaged in a “charm offensive,” promoting trade and strengthening U.S.-Nigeria relations. She was publicly recognized by President Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast, who praised her as a national leader and Christian pastor.
Tinubu, a former senator and educator, emphasizes her interfaith marriage as a model for coexistence in a deeply divided nation. “If I’m going to enjoy my marriage, Jesus has to come in and give me that peace,” she said. Her mission, she says, is to rebuild “the broken walls” of her country through youth engagement, education, and women’s health initiatives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkgYg3DSewY
For many families displaced and grieving, however, the promise of peace and security remains elusive. The question of whether Nigerian officials can effectively combat terrorism and religious violence, and convince both its citizens and the international community of their commitment, hangs heavy in the balance.
