The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged religious leaders to stop portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war.
Mr Idris warned that such narratives could undermine national unity, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The minister also urged Christian leaders to use their influence to promote truth, peace, responsible citizenship and tolerance.
He stressed that no Nigerian should be attacked or discriminated against because of their religion.
Mr Idris made the call in a keynote address delivered at the grand finale of the 2026 Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the International Communion of Charismatic Archbishops, Bishops and Apostles at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Speaking on religious freedom and national security, the minister said the Federal Government remained committed to protecting the constitutional rights of Nigerians to practise their faith freely.
“Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the Federal Government remains committed to protecting every citizen’s right to worship and practise their faith freely.
“No Nigerian should be attacked or discriminated against because of religion. Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths should be able to live and worship in peace.
“At the same time, we should not allow our security challenges to be wrongly presented as a religious war.
“Terrorists and criminal groups have attacked Nigerians of different faiths and backgrounds, and their objective is to create fear and undermine our national unity,” the statement quoted Idris as saying.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had strengthened intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and military operations to tackle terrorism and other forms of criminality.
He added that Nigeria had also expanded international security partnerships, particularly in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, training, defence and border security.
“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government has strengthened intelligence, inter-agency cooperation and military operations, with significant gains recorded against terrorist and criminal networks.
“Our international partnerships have also grown stronger. Cooperation with the United States and other friendly nations covers intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, training, defence and border security.
“The message is clear: Nigeria is not facing these threats alone. We will continue to work with our international partners while strengthening our own capacity to protect Nigerians.
“But security ultimately requires the cooperation and vigilance of all citizens,” he said.
Mr Idris said religious leaders had a particularly important role to play in shaping public opinion because of their influence over millions of Nigerians.
“The Church occupies a special place in the life of our nation. Millions of Nigerians look to their pastors, bishops and other religious leaders not only for spiritual guidance, but also for direction on issues that affect their families, communities and the country.
“That influence comes with responsibility.
“At a time when misinformation, hate speech, religious intolerance and political tension can spread within minutes, the pulpit and other platforms of religious communication should remain places where truth, peace and responsible citizenship are promoted,” the minister said.
