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Nigeria: Christianity

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 22 January 2025UIN 23327

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria during December 2024.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds

The UK is committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including intercommunal violence and violent extremism, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The root causes of this violence are complex, and whilst religious identity can play a role, so can loss of economic opportunity, competition over land and natural resources. Our support includes funding to programmes which strengthen mechanisms to resolve conflict and build resilience in affected communities. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we also engage with Nigerian security actors to address these complex issues.

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