Why Bishop Kukah Says 'There Is No Christian Persecution in Nigeria' Despite National Outrage
Afnews Editor
Nov 29, 2025
Bishop Matthew Kukah has stirred fresh controversy after insisting that Christians are not being persecuted in Nigeria. His position challenges widely circulated narratives. Read full details here.
https://youtu.be/9iERQpowqIY
READ ALSO: NDDC: Nunieh Moves To Protect Herself, Obtains Order Restraining Police from Arresting Her
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has stirred nationwide controversy after boldly declaring that there is no Christian persecution in Nigeria.
The outspoken cleric, who has never shied away from politically sensitive issues, said the widely circulated claims of mass killings, church burnings, and "Christian genocideÔÇØ are exaggerated, poorly researched, and driven by groups he described as "emotionally charged activistsÔÇØ who have refused to consult credible sources.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Kukah made the remarks while presenting a paper at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna, where he aligned himself with the official positions of the Vatican Secretary of State and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria.
According to Kukah, many of the figures used by international lobby groups and local commentators are invented numbers with no authentic roots.
He questioned:
READ ALSO: STREET VIBE: Some MOUAU Fresh Graduates Reveal Courses That Gave Them Tough Time | WATCH VIDEO
"They say 1,200 churches are burnt in Nigeria every year. I ask-in which Nigeria? Who verified this? Nobody has approached the Catholic Church for credible data.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
The cleric, known globally for his work in peacebuilding, argued that those pushing the persecution narrative avoid the Catholic Church because "Catholics don't engage in hearsay.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Abia Speaker Hails Onyema Ugochukwu At 77, Describes Him As A Trustworthy Statesman
Kukah further dismantled claims of genocide, insisting that the concept goes beyond casualty counts.
READ ALSO: SUPER EAGLES: GERNOT ROHR CANNOT BE SACK, NFF REVEALS (SEE DETAIL REASON)
"You can kill 10 million people and it still won't amount to genocide. What matters is intent-the deliberate goal to wipe out a group,ÔÇØ he said.
READ ALSO: RESCHEDULED ELECTIONS: NIGERIAN STOCK MARKET LOSES 197 BILLION NAIRA
He added that careless use of such sensitive terms fuels diplomatic tension, heightens interfaith suspicion, and gives criminals new opportunities to exploit division.
READ ALSO: Falana Reacts Over "Brutal Torture" On Detained Akwa Ibom Lawyer
In one of his most controversial statements, Kukah declared that Nigerian Christians remain one of the most powerful demographic groups in the country:
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
-80% of educated Nigerians are Christians
READ ALSO: NDDC: Nunieh Moves To Protect Herself, Obtains Order Restraining Police from Arresting Her
-Christians control up to 85% of the Nigerian economy
He argued that a group with such dominance cannot accurately claim systemic persecution.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
"If you say you are persecuted, how? Christians have economic and educational dominance. So, where is the persecution?ÔÇØ he asked.
The Real Problem? Disunity Among Christians
Kukah blamed internal division for enabling attacks on Christian communities.
READ ALSO: STREET VIBE: Some MOUAU Fresh Graduates Reveal Courses That Gave Them Tough Time | WATCH VIDEO
"Christians succumb to bullies. When we stand together-believing that an injury to one is an injury to all-these things will stop.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
He also faulted the trend of labeling any victim of violence inside a church as a martyr.
READ ALSO: Abia Speaker Hails Onyema Ugochukwu At 77, Describes Him As A Trustworthy Statesman
"If someone is killed while stealing yam or attacked by bandits, does that automatically make them a martyr?ÔÇØ he queried, urging Christians to think deeply and avoid emotional generalizations.
READ ALSO: SUPER EAGLES: GERNOT ROHR CANNOT BE SACK, NFF REVEALS (SEE DETAIL REASON)
Responding to criticisms that followed his earlier comments abroad, Kukah said he submitted a 1,270-page study on genocide at the Vatican, but never claimed there is genocide in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: RESCHEDULED ELECTIONS: NIGERIAN STOCK MARKET LOSES 197 BILLION NAIRA
Kukah urged the Knights to defend the Church-not by weapons-but through exemplary lives, discipline, and protection of the faith.
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our TroopsÔÇØ - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Afnews Editor