As millions of Nigerian Christians celebrate Christmas today, Thursday, December 25, 2025, President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his commitment to religious freedom in the country.
The President, in a Christmas message, also affirmed the commitment of his administration to ensuring that all Christians are protected in the country.
He declared that no Nigerian would be made to suffer or die because of their religious beliefs.
Tinubu stated: “No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing and practising their faith.
“The love for God and the love for humanity are at the heart of all great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people of our blessed country.
“That commitment remains steadfast under God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All Nigerians have the right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect people of all faiths from violence.
“We will build on these conversations to strengthen collaboration between government and religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence,” he said, describing religious freedom as “a core tenet of our collective identity.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us reflect on the immense contributions Christians have made and continue to make towards the progress of our country,” he said, noting that Christ’s message has inspired many to care for the vulnerable and less privileged.
The President described Christmas as a season of hope, reminding Nigerians that “despite daunting challenges, God is with us.”
He wished Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and prayed for peace, particularly among people of different faiths. Tinubu also urged Nigerians travelling during the holidays to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys. “With confidence in divine providence and our collective strength, we will continue building a greater Nigeria that future generations will be proud of,” he added
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Tinubu’s message comes as Nigerian Christians celebrate Christmas.
It also comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious freedom record. Two months earlier, the United States government redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged severe violations of religious freedom.On October 31, 2025, U.S President Donald Trump announced the redesignation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, claiming that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and alleging that “radical Islamists are responsible for mass killings.”
Israeli Prime Minister Warns Against Christian Genocide in Christmas Message
Also, as millions of Christians celebrate Christmas worldwide, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has warned against alleged ongoing genocide against Christian faithful in Nigeria.
Netanyahu, during his Christmas message, said that attacks against Christians or members of any religion will no longer be tolerated.
He said: “From Jerusalem, I send warm greetings to our Christian friends around the world. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From here, the Holy Land, Israel, is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East where Christians can practise their faith with full rights and in total freedom, where Christian pilgrims are embraced with open arms and are so deeply appreciated, where Christians can proudly celebrate their traditions and openly do so without any fear.
“The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated. And the displacement of Muslim militants and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, too, must end. And it must end now”.
