According to a report by Vanguard on Saturday November 29, 2025, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, has maintained that claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria are unfounded, emphasising that the classification of genocide is determined by intent rather than casualty figures.
His position follows recent criticism sparked by reports suggesting he advised the international community against designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
According to him, such a designation would escalate tensions, fuel mistrust, and create opportunities for criminal elements to manipulate the situation, ultimately weakening interfaith relations and cooperation with government.
Presenting a paper at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna, Bishop Kukah stated that his assessment of alleged Christian killings in Nigeria aligns with the views of the Vatican Secretary of State, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and all Catholic bishops across the country.
He criticised the circulation of unverified statistics, particularly claims that thousands of churches are destroyed annually, arguing that credible data has not been sourced from the Catholic Church or any authoritative body.
He noted that such figures often bypass the Catholic hierarchy, which insists on factual reporting rather than speculation.
Addressing misconceptions about genocide, Bishop Kukah explained that the term is defined by the intention to eliminate a specific group and not by the number of victims.
He stressed the need for greater precision and responsibility when discussing sensitive national issues.
He also questioned assertions that Christians in Nigeria are systematically persecuted, pointing out that a significant proportion of the country’s educated population and economic stakeholders are Christians.
He said; “If you are a Christian in Nigeria and you say you are persecuted, my question is: how? At least 80% of educated Nigerians are Christians, and up to 85% of the Nigerian economy is controlled by Christians. With such figures, how can anyone say Christians are being persecuted?”
Bishop Kukah attributed many of the challenges faced by Christians to internal fragmentation, noting that a stronger sense of unity would reduce susceptibility to intimidation or discrimination.
He also raised concerns about the growing tendency to classify all church-related killings as acts of martyrdom, urging deeper reflection on the circumstances surrounding such incidents.
Clarifying misinterpretations of his earlier comments, he referenced a comprehensive 1,270-page study he presented at the Vatican on genocide in Nigeria and other regions, reaffirming that existing evidence does not support claims of genocide or organised martyrdom in the country.
He encouraged members of the Knights of St. Mulumba to uphold the values of the Church through integrity and exemplary conduct, stressing that modern-day defence of the faith requires moral leadership rather than physical confrontation. View, More,
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