The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has appealed to the United States government not to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACIN) 2025 Report on Religious Freedom in the World held at the Augustinianum Hall in Vatican City, Kukah said such a move would only worsen existing divisions and harm peacebuilding efforts.
The CPC tag, issued by the US government, identifies nations accused of engaging in “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
Recently, some US lawmakers have renewed calls for sanctions on Nigeria, citing claims of Christian persecution.
Kukah: ‘It will hurt our peace efforts’
Kukah cautioned that redesignating Nigeria as a CPC would undermine local and international efforts to address religious tensions and violence.
He explained that Nigerians already feel “vulnerable and unprotected irrespective of their faith, ethnicity, or social class.”
The bishop described the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as “the worst phase in the history of interfaith relations in Nigeria,” pointing to what he called the marginalisation and violence experienced by Christians during that period.
However, Kukah acknowledged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has made some attempts to restore public confidence, though challenges persist.
“I do believe that acts of impunity still persist,” Kukah said, “but redesignating Nigeria a Country of Concern will hurt the initiatives we are working on with the current government to resolve the persecution of Christians and the wider issue of killings across the country.”
He warned that such a move would “increase tensions, sow doubt, open windows of suspicion and fear,” giving violent groups more room to exploit divisions.
Instead of sanctions, Kukah called for greater support for civil society organisations and international partners to press for reforms and accountability.
“What Nigeria needs now is vigilance, not punishment,” he stressed.
‘Obama and Biden slowed Nigeria’s progress’ said Kukah
Kukah also criticised the role of past US administrations, accusing the Barack Obama and Joe Biden governments of undermining Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency by blocking access to essential military equipment.
He urged former President Donald Trump to lift the existing weapons ban and support Nigeria’s efforts to defeat insurgency. “Allowing Nigeria access to the military tools it needs will help free our country from the grip of evil men,” Kukah said.
According to him, such support would mark a decisive step toward ending the violence caused by extremist groups and restoring stability in the country.
