The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has warned the United States against interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs over what it called a false “Christian genocide” narrative that threatens national unity.
Speaking in Abuja, NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said the council, after an expanded meeting, resolved to reject foreign attempts to portray Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war. He stressed that insecurity in Nigeria is driven by poverty, climate change, and criminality—not religion.
Oloyede accused some American evangelical groups and right-wing politicians of spreading misinformation to justify U.S. interference. He noted that exaggerated reports in Western media had fueled false perceptions of anti-Christian persecution, misleading even top U.S. officials.
“It is wrong and dangerous for anyone to label Nigeria a country of religious genocide,” Oloyede said. “This is a national security crisis, not a religious one.”
He condemned the U.S. decision to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” calling it a political move aimed at punishing Nigeria for its foreign policy, particularly its support for Palestine.
The NSCIA also dismissed calls for the abolition of Sharia law, explaining that Nigeria’s Constitution recognises Sharia, Customary, and Common Law systems. “Sharia applies only to Muslims, just as Christian laws apply to Christians. It is constitutional and fair,” Oloyede stated.
The council accused foreign lobbyists of using fake data to gain asylum, funding, and political influence, while ignoring the suffering of Muslim communities.
Reaffirming commitment to peace and unity, Oloyede urged Nigerians of all faiths to resist external manipulation. “Christians are not our enemies. We are all victims of bad governance and insecurity,” he said.
He called for continued diplomatic engagement with the U.S. but warned that “genuine assistance must come through partnership, not interference.”
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria,” Oloyede concluded. “What we face is a human crisis rooted in poverty, displacement, and environmental collapse — and we must fight it together.”
