FG hails U.S. for removing Nigeria from religious freedom blacklist

The Federal Government has hailed the United States for removing Nigeria from its list of countries with religious freedom concerns, calling the decision fair and just.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement issued in Paris, France, on Thursday by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, reiterated that Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation or have a policy of religious persecution.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had on Wednesday disclosed the removal of Nigeria from the list.

Recall that the U.S. had in 2020 placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in or tolerated the severe violation of religious freedom.

But Nigeria was missing from the list of countries designated in the 2021 list for religious violations.

The minister said Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in

the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in that regard.

”We will continue to ensure that every Nigerian has the freedom to practise his or her own chosen religion or belief without hindrance,” the minister said, while commending religious leaders in the country who have been working to ensure religious harmony.”