The Nigerian Senate has constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to examine and respond to growing international concerns over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, following recent claims by the United States suggesting possible acts of genocide.
The decision was reached during a closed-door session on Tuesday, where lawmakers deliberated on the diplomatic and national security implications of the allegations.
The committee, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), includes Senators Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Niyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Titus Zam (Benue North East), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Tahir Monguno (Borno North), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), among others.
The panel is tasked with preparing a comprehensive position paper to be presented to both the Senate and the Executive, defining Nigeria’s legislative stance and guiding engagement in international discussions on the issue.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the committee, emphasized that the report must rely strictly on verifiable facts and statistics.
He explained that the move was part of broader efforts to counter what the Senate described as “misleading narratives” portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as targeted religious persecution.
Earlier, the upper chamber resolved to initiate dialogue with the U.S. Congress to correct international misconceptions and present Nigeria’s perspective on the matter.
The development followed a motion raised last week by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), which triggered an extensive debate on how foreign governments interpret Nigeria’s internal security situation.
Lawmakers voiced concern that the genocide allegations could damage Nigeria’s global image, strain diplomatic relations, and affect foreign investment.
Akpabio further proposed sending a delegation to the United States to directly engage American lawmakers and policy experts on the issue.
“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected. We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the U.S. understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims,” Akpabio said.
The Senate also agreed to maintain private consultations with key stakeholders and faith leaders within Nigeria to promote unity and ensure that the nation’s security discourse is not distorted along religious lines.
