The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria: What You Should Know

Funeral of Christians killed on August 28, 2025, in Kauru County, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Photo: Christian Daily

Religious violence has been occurring in Nigeria for over 70 years. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began on July 26, 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group known as Boko Haram began seeking to establish an Islamic state in the region, is still going on today.

More Christians have been killed for their faith in Nigeria than any other country. The level of persecution in Nigeria has continued to escalate. These numbers represent mothers, fathers, boys, and girls:

The Nigerian government is not taking action; the rest of the world must pay attention. Nina Shea, the director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom, stated in a recent article from Catholic News Agency that “the numbers killed and abducted are staggering and the documentation is now irrefutable.” 

“Fulani militants are waging a religious war, a jihad, against undefended Christian farming communities in large swaths of Nigeria,” she argued. “Equally undeniable and shocking is the fact that the Nigerian government has idly watched and tolerated these relentless attacks over many years. The goal of the militants to eradicate the Christian presence by murder, forcible conversion to Islam, and driving them out of their homeland appears to be shared by the government in Abuja [the capital of Nigeria] or else it would take action.”

You can hear the Rev. Dr. Justice Okoronkwo’s powerful testimony from New Wineskins here. At the New Wineskins conference in September, many of us had the opportunity to hear from several brave Anglican leaders from Nigeria. Dr. Okoronkwo gave the plenary address on our last night there, and every single one of us came away powerfully impacted by it. You will hear about courage, perseverance, and evidence that God is answering prayers.

The aim of the Islamist extremists is to take over the whole country. At Dr. Okoronkwo’s breakout session, he described in more detail what is happening where he serves (the Diocese of Jos) in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, where the worst of the attacks are now. He explained that the northern part of Nigeria, some 12 states, is under complete Islamic sharia law, and the goal of the Islamist extremists, primarily Boko Haram, West Africa ISIS, and the Fulani militants, is to continue pushing down through all of Nigeria and ultimately take control of the whole country. The Middle Belt and farther south is predominantly Christian. Dr. Okoronkwo also stated Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world (behind China and India) by 2030.

The United States designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” last Friday, October 31. Last month, a letter signed by the heads of 33 organizations was sent to President Trump, urging him and Congress to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” It was designated in 2020 but then removed in 2021 during the last administration. Praise God that it is back on the list, as this designation allows the U.S. to impose penalties that persuade the Nigerian government to take action to make the society less oppressive for Christians. To understand further what this means and why there was reluctance to designate it, read “Trump Announces CPC Designation for Nigeria.” 

What can we do to help our brothers and sisters in Nigeria? PRAY for them! Pray for protection, courage, comfort of the Holy Spirit, boldness to stand firm, provision, and help from the worldwide Body of Christ. Pray also that adequate pressure diplomatically and economically will be placed upon the Nigerian government to stop this. You can also GIVE! St. Philip’s is sending financial support from our world missions budget to help the Christians in Nigeria, but we further help individually by supporting two strong organizations working directly in the Middle Belt: The Anglican Persecuted Church Network and Barnabas Aid.

Almighty God, who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.