The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has confirmed that diplomatic efforts are yielding progress toward improving relations between Nigeria and the United States, following recent tensions.
Speaking on Sky News’ “The World With Yalda Hakim”, Idris said that “channels of communication have been opened,” noting that both sides are beginning to better understand the issues at hand. He attributed some of the misunderstandings to a “lack of proper understanding of Nigeria’s diversity and complexity.”
Idris also alleged a link between U.S.-based lobby groups and a proscribed separatist organization in Nigeria, claiming that such groups have been working to “misinform U.S. authorities.”
While acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Idris praised the U.S. for its past support in the fight against terrorism and called for renewed cooperation. “We are calling on them to partner with us once again… so we have peace once and for all in our country,” he said.
The minister expressed surprise at certain reports and statistics emanating from the U.S., questioning the accuracy of data used to support claims of religious intolerance in Nigeria. “Some of the assumptions are based on data that largely cannot stand any scientific scrutiny,” he asserted.
Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, emphasizing that the country remains a multi-faith nation, and that the ongoing conflicts should not be interpreted as acts of religious persecution.
