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Nigeria, the Vatican and Persecution Claims: When Diplomacy Meets Doctrine — and Disappointment

Published

9 months ago

November 20, 2025

By: Fabian Apechihin

A fresh diplomatic tension is emerging between Abuja and Rome following Pope Leo XIV’s recent decision to list Nigeria among countries where Christians are being persecuted. The statement, coming at a sensitive moment in Nigeria–Vatican relations, raises new questions about diplomacy, neutrality, and the Vatican’s role in interpreting Nigeria’s complex security landscape.

A Growing Relationship — With a Critical Gap

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is home to millions of Catholics and maintains long-standing ties with the Holy See. In May 2025, President Bola Tinubu visited the Vatican at the Pope’s invitation, a gesture widely seen as strengthening bilateral engagement. Around the same period, Pope Leo appointed Nigerian priest Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng as Vice-Regent of the Papal Household — another sign of deepening connections.

Yet, despite these developments, a crucial diplomatic vacuum remains: Nigeria still has no accredited ambassador to the Vatican. In such a vacuum, the Holy See is left to depend heavily on media narratives, lobbying networks and incomplete briefings rather than structured communication from an official envoy. Without a resident ambassador providing comprehensive, real-time intelligence, misunderstanding becomes far more likely — and far more damaging.

The same issue extends to other major capitals, including Washington, London and Ottawa, where Nigeria’s security and human-rights narratives are shaped daily. Leaving these diplomatic seats vacant hands others the power to define Nigeria’s story.

A Shift in the Vatican’s Tone

Pope Leo XIV’s recent remarks echo narratives promoted by some U.S. political circles, including previous efforts in Washington to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Yet, many independent analysts maintain that Nigeria’s violence does not meet the United Nations’ legal threshold for genocide: a deliberate, systematic attempt to exterminate a protected group.

It is notable that the Vatican itself had previously taken a more cautious approach, avoiding framing Nigeria’s conflict as religion-driven genocide. A sudden shift toward a more categorical statement prompts key questions:

Has the Vatican been receiving selective, one-sided briefings?
Is the absence of a Nigerian ambassador contributing to this skewed perception?

Both possibilities are increasingly difficult to dismiss.

Nigeria’s Violence: Complex, Brutal — But Not Monolithic

No serious observer disputes the severity of Nigeria’s security crisis. From Boko Haram and ISWAP to bandits, IPOB/ESN-linked militants, and criminal gangs, multiple armed actors operate across diverse regions.

The result is a grim reality:
both Christians and Muslims have been killed in large numbers, often within mixed or intermarried communities where faith identities overlap daily life. Nigeria ranks poorly on the Global Peace Index due to internal conflict — not because it is uniquely a “genocide state.”

If a state-backed genocide were underway, global sanctions, diplomatic reactions and legal proceedings would be unmistakably stronger.

The Vatican must not conflate the tragic number of Christian victims with a legally unsustainable claim of “Christian genocide,” especially when empirical evidence shows:

attacks frequently occur in mixed-faith communities;
many perpetrators and victims are of the same religion;
Muslims are also mass casualties in the North;
some violence in the South-East is Christian-on-Christian.

Geopolitics Behind the Narrative

Nigeria’s more assertive global posture — exploring dedollarisation for crude sales, enforcing naira-based transactions in certain sectors, and expanding partnerships with China, Russia and Brazil — has not gone unnoticed internationally. In such contexts, pressure on Nigeria often appears wrapped in the language of moral or religious concern.

It is reasonable to ask whether elements of the “Christian persecution” narrative also serve political or strategic ends.

The Vatican’s Moral Duty: Accuracy Before Alarm

Historically, popes such as Benedict XVI and Francis preferred fact-finding, consultation and balanced language before commenting on conflict zones. Vatican diplomacy is meant to be:

neutral,
evidence-driven,
pastoral,
and sensitive to complex realities.

By comparison, Pope Leo XIV’s recent statement appears premature and unbalanced, rooted more in the suffering of Christian communities (which is real) than in a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s multi-layered insecurity.

Given Nigeria’s unique social fabric — widespread interfaith marriages, shared festivals, and families that host both faiths under one roof — an unnuanced Vatican statement risks:

deepening religious suspicion at home,
distorting Nigeria’s complex security reality abroad,
and emboldening foreign actors eager to weaponise the “genocide” label.

A Way Forward: Facts, Diplomacy and Dialogue

Nigeria must urgently fill key diplomatic postings — especially in the Vatican and major G7 capitals — to ensure its security realities are not defined by external narratives.

The Vatican, for its part, should initiate or support an independent fact-finding mission involving government representatives, Catholic bishops, other Christian leaders, Muslim scholars and neutral conflict experts. Only such a multi-perspective inquiry can justify strong claims of persecution or genocide.

Civil bodies — including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and reputable civic organisations — should respectfully request that Pope Leo XIV review or clarify his statement in light of:

the absence of genocide-level evidence,
the shared suffering of Christian and Muslim communities,
the role of criminality and insurgency over religious intent,
and Nigeria’s deeply interwoven, pluralistic social structure.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV’s classification of Nigeria as a country of Christian persecution marks a serious escalation. But Nigeria’s security crisis — defined by insurgency, banditry, separatist violence and organised crime — cannot be reduced to a one-dimensional genocide narrative.

To impose that label is to oversimplify a tragedy, risk diplomatic fallout and compromise the Vatican’s moral neutrality.

For healing to occur — spiritually, diplomatically and socially — the Vatican must stand with both victims and verified facts. And Nigeria must respond with transparency, proactive diplomacy and a restored global presence.

Only then can trust be rebuilt, and real solutions pursued, without turning genuine human suffering into political leverage.

If you want, I can turn this into a tighter op-ed, a news-style analysis, or a shorter briefing.

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Kwara: Ifelodun Travellers Transport System Revived

Published

7 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Our Reporter

As Council Signs MoU With P&A Contract Ltd

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ifelodun local Government, under the leadership of Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with P & A Contract Limited for the construction of a modern motor park in Amoyo, as the Council moves to revive the Ifelodun Travellers transport system and improve transportation within the Local Government.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony at the Council s Contact Office in Amoyo, the Chairman explained that the decision to construct the motor park was driven by the need for Ifelodun Local Government to establish its own transport identity, intended to ease people’s transportation problem.

He recalled that residents travelling to and from Ifelodun had, over the years, relied on transport facilities at Offa Garage and Maraba in Ilorin, stressing the need to create a dedicated transport hub that would serve the people of the Local Government.

“At some point in the history of Ifelodun Local Government, we had Ifelodun Travellers, which does not exist anymore. I don’t think there is anything wrong with bringing that identity back to the limelight. Now, we want to add value to that identity,” the Chairman said.

He added that the Council was also working with relevant stakeholders to bring in 10 units of Korope buses, which would commence operations as soon as possible.

“We are working with the NURTW, Kwara State Chapter, for guidance and to ensure that the operation runs smoothly,” he added.

The Supervisory Councillor for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Kolo Rebecca, explained that the proposed park would feature several amenities, including a garage, warehouse, 100-unit shopping complex, parking spaces and general toilets.

She said the facilities were designed to boost economic activities, improve the image of the Local Government and provide a more convenient transportation system for residents.

According to her, the initiative is also in line with the efforts of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take governance and development directly to the grassroots.

The contractor, Mallam Jimoh Toheeb Abolore, assured the Local Government of the prompt execution of the project, promising that the construction would meet the required standards and contribute positively to the image and development of Ifelodun Local Government.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Secretary to the Local Government, Dr. Kamil Akorede; DPM, Mallam Ayinde Salman; LGT, Mallam Usman Waheed; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Chief Ademola Zubair; Head of Works, Engr. Awodi Muhammad; Land officer, Tola Kadir and other Special Assistants.

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Lawyer Demands Release of Detained Kano Blogger, Maryam Shehu

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Hassan Agboola

A lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has called for the immediate release of Kano-based blogger, Maryam Shehu, who he said has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for almost 30 days.

Dantani, in a statement on Monday, said the prolonged detention of Shehu was becoming difficult to reconcile with the rule of law and provisions of the 1999 Constitution, particularly her fundamental right to personal liberty.
He questioned why Shehu should remain in detention for nearly 30 days, particularly over an offence he described as ordinarily bailable.

“How on earth can a person be detained for almost 30 days and counting, particularly in relation to an offence that is ordinarily bailable, without meaningful consideration of her liberty and constitutional rights?” he asked.
Dantani said the EFCC’s powers to investigate did not give the commission the right to detain a suspect indefinitely, punish her before trial or disregard her fundamental rights.

He also criticised the alleged practice of photographing persons in EFCC custody and publishing their images online while they remain presumed innocent.
Citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution, Dantani said the law guarantees the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty by a competent court.

He warned that publicly portraying suspects as criminals before trial could amount to subjecting them to public punishment and humiliation.
“The EFCC is a law-enforcement institution. It must therefore be the first institution to demonstrate obedience to law. It cannot demand respect for law from citizens while appearing to disregard constitutional safeguards itself,” he said.

Dantani urged the commission to either charge Shehu before a competent court if it has credible evidence against her or release her immediately
.
“We call on EFCC to respect the Constitution, respect presumption of innocence and respect fundamental right to personal liberty. Investigation is not conviction. Detention is not punishment. And an allegation is not guilt,” he said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Comment on Lionel Messi’s Tribute to His Dad Becomes Most-Liked Instagram Comment

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2026

Our Reporter

By Fabian Apechihin

Cristiano Ronaldo’s heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of his father, Jorge Messi, has reportedly become the most-liked comment in Instagram history.

Jorge Messi died on August 7 in Rosario, Argentina, aged 68. Five days later, Messi paid tribute to his late father in an emotional Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair.

In the post, Messi wrote, “Te amo, pa” — meaning “I love you, Dad” — alongside a lengthy tribute reflecting on his father’s influence and the pain of losing him.

Among the many reactions from fans, celebrities and fellow footballers was a message from Ronaldo.

“Un abrazo enorme para ti y los tuyos en estos duros momentos, Leo. Mucha fuerza,” Ronaldo wrote, which translates to: “A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.”

Ronaldo’s comment reportedly attracted more than 6.86 million likes and over 86,000 comments, making it the most-liked comment on Instagram.

The previous record was also held by Ronaldo, whose comment on Kylian Mbappé’s announcement of his move to Real Madrid reportedly received more than five million likes.

Other football stars also expressed their condolences to Messi. Neymar Jr.’s message, translated as “Much strength for you and your family. Big hug,” reportedly received more than 1.6 million likes, while David Beckham’s comment expressing support for Messi and his family attracted more than 300,000 likes.

In his tribute, Messi described his father’s death as difficult to comprehend, saying he struggled to accept that he would no longer see or speak with him.

Messi also recalled how his father had encouraged him to play at the 2026 World Cup despite his deteriorating health. He said his father had hoped to watch him compete and had planned to travel if his condition improved.

According to Messi, he had promised his father that Argentina would reach the final so he could be there. Although Argentina reached the final, his father was unable to attend.

Reflecting on the loss, Messi said he had wanted to win the tournament and bring the trophy to his father but ultimately struggled physically during the competition.

The emotional tribute highlighted the close bond between Messi and his father and the profound impact of his loss on the football superstar.