Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has demanded a full, unedited broadcast of his interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan on ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored’, where he addressed claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday, Tuggar said he appeared on the show to present “a factual and contextual perspective on the misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.
“My explanations, supported by verifiable data, may not have conformed to certain preconceived views,” he added, stressing that his call for full airing aligns with integrity and transparency benchmarks.
At the time of filing this report, the interview has not yet been released on Morgan’s YouTube channel.
Last week, during a meeting with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin, Tuggar said it is “impossible” for the Nigerian government to persecute any citizen on the basis of religion, citing the constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion and the rule of law.
The allegations of religious violence gained momentum earlier this year when the US Congress considered proposals to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern” (CPC).
In April, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commissioned a report describing claims of a Christian genocide as “a dangerous, single, linear narrative” and emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, peace, and tolerance.
“Rather than perpetuating a narrative that reinforces divisions and fuels further violence, analysts need to adopt a more nuanced and balanced understanding that recognises Nigeria’s ethno-religious dynamics and the many efforts underway to promote peace, tolerance and coexistence,” the report stated.
Despite these measures, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC on October 31, accusing the government of failing to curb attacks against Christians.
