Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed recent allegations from Western figures describing Nigeria as a country engaged in “Christian genocide,” warning that such claims could fuel division and instability across the nation.
In a lengthy statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, October 5, 2025, Fani-Kayode described the accusations as “fiction” and a “conspiracy against Nigeria.” He said the narrative being pushed by some American and Canadian leaders was part of a larger agenda to destabilise the country and incite religious conflict.
Western Leaders’ Accusations
The former minister was reacting to comments made by U.S. television host Bill Maher, CNN commentator Van Jones, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who all accused Nigeria of carrying out or enabling genocide against Christians. Fani-Kayode noted that Senator Cruz had even announced plans to introduce a bill in the U.S. Senate aimed at “protecting Christians in Nigeria.”
He also pointed to a recent resolution passed by the Canadian Parliament, which described Nigeria as “one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians.”
“A False Narrative Meant to Divide Nigeria”
According to Fani-Kayode, these claims are not driven by genuine concern for Christians in Nigeria but by Western interests seeking to create tension within the country.
“The Americans, their allies, and their local collaborators are carefully preparing the ground for a religious war in our country,” he wrote. “They want us to tear ourselves apart.”
He argued that while it is true that Christians have been targeted by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP over the years, Muslims have suffered equally at the hands of the same extremist groups.
“As many Muslims have been targeted and killed by these terrorists as Christians,” he said. “The reality is that what we are facing is not a Christian genocide but a genocide against all Nigerians.”
Blame on the West
Fani-Kayode accused the United States and its allies of hypocrisy, claiming they helped create and empower terrorist networks in Nigeria by refusing to sell arms to the Nigerian government or classify Boko Haram as a terrorist group in its early years.
He said the renewed Western focus on Nigeria is linked to the country’s recent position at the United Nations, where Vice President Kashim Shettima reportedly condemned the ongoing conflict in Gaza and called for a two-state solution.
“They want to punish us for standing up for humanity,” Fani-Kayode stated. “This is the reason for their sudden venom, subversion, and malice.”
“Don’t Fall for the Trap”
Fani-Kayode warned Nigerians not to be misled by foreign rhetoric, insisting that the country must stand united to overcome terrorism.
“If there was a Christian genocide going on in Nigeria, I would be the first to speak against it,” he said. “But this is a war against all Nigerians, not against one religion.”
He cautioned that accepting the Western narrative could “divide the nation, swell the ranks of terrorists, and lead to chaos and civil war.”
“We must not allow the Americans or anyone else to divide our ranks,” he added. “We cannot win the war against terror by turning on ourselves.”
A Call for Unity
Reflecting on his own experience touring Northern Nigeria in 2020, Fani-Kayode said he witnessed firsthand that both Christians and Muslims were victims of terrorist violence in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, and Taraba.
“From the day I saw it with my own eyes, I took an oath to speak out for both Christians and Muslims,” he said. “Beasts don’t care whether you are Christian or Muslim; they only care about spilling your blood.”
Fani-Kayode ended his statement with a call for peace and unity, urging Nigerians to reject divisive propaganda and protect the nation’s stability.
“May God guide us all, may He grant us peace, and may He bless, defend, and protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.
