Tinubu Hosts Catholic Bishops Amid Rising Tensions Over Christian Persecutions
posted 14th March 2025
Tinubu Hosts Catholic Bishops Amid Rising Tensions Over Christian Persecutions
Abuja, 14 March 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed a delegation of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, amid growing international scrutiny over the treatment of Christians in the country. The meeting, confirmed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, comes at a critical juncture as the United States considers imposing sanctions on Nigeria due to reported killings of Christians.
The delegation was spearheaded by Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese. He was joined by prominent figures including Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and John Cardinal Onayikan, Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, alongside other senior clerics.
The visit follows heightened tensions both domestically and abroad, with the United States taking a keen interest in Nigeria’s religious freedom record. US Representative Chris Smith has been at the forefront of a debate in Washington, pushing for sanctions in response to what he describes as systemic violence against Christian communities in Nigeria. The proposed measures have sparked widespread discussion, with Nigerian officials under pressure to address these allegations.
While the specifics of the discussions between President Tinubu and the bishops remain undisclosed, the meeting is seen as a significant step in engaging religious leaders amid these challenges. The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response to the looming threat of US sanctions, but Friday’s gathering suggests an effort to navigate the delicate balance between domestic governance and international relations.
The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have long been vocal about issues of justice, security, and religious coexistence in the country, making their presence at the Presidential Villa a notable moment in the ongoing discourse. As global attention intensifies, all eyes will be on how President Tinubu’s administration responds to both the bishops’ concerns and the mounting pressure from the United States.
