The minister also urged Trump and the U.S. government to seek balanced information about Nigeria’s internal challenges and support the country’s fight against terrorism
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has written an open letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, debunking claims of targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Keyamo said as a Christian and long-time human rights advocate, he would not have accepted to serve in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration if there were any truth to such allegations.
“Because of my strong Christian background and ethical pedigree, it would have been most unconscionable for me to associate with let alone serve a government if truly there is any scintilla of truth in the assertion that Christians are specifically targeted in Nigeria for persecution, killings or harassment on account of their faith. It is simply not true,” Keyamo wrote.
The minister, who said he had spent more than three decades in active legal practice and human rights advocacy, noted that Nigeria’s security challenges were rooted in terrorism and banditry, not religious persecution.
According to him, deadly groups such as Boko Haram, herdsmen, and cattle rustlers have, over the years, attacked communities across different faiths, and President Tinubu has made significant progress in addressing the problem.
“Most of the security chiefs appointed by President Tinubu are Christians, so it would be unthinkable to imagine them being complicit in the killing of fellow Christians,” he stated.
Keyamo described President Tinubu as a “moderate Muslim” whose wife is a pastor and whose children are practising Christians, stressing that the Nigerian leader has a history of religious tolerance.
He recalled that during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State, he regularly invited Christian pastors to the Government House for prayers and worship sessions.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s secular status, Keyamo emphasised that the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the adoption of any state religion, reflecting its multi-faith diversity.
“In all honesty, the insecurity in some parts of the country over the years has impacted adherents of all religions, and this government has not sought to protect one set of adherents and ignore the others,” he said.
The minister also urged Trump and the U.S. government to seek balanced information about Nigeria’s internal challenges and support the country’s fight against terrorism.
“President Trump, the Nigerian people ask for deep and sincere understanding from your government at this point… We ask for collaboration, frank and open dialogue, and that you broaden your sources of information to get a balanced view of the happenings in Nigeria,” Keyamo appealed.
