By Mike Odeh James,
Abuja–Christian clerics and thought leaders in Nigeria have strongly backed United States President Donald Trump’s call for the protection of Christianity, which he described as the most persecuted religion in the world.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Trump raised concerns about targeted attacks on Christians globally. His remarks struck a deep chord in Nigeria, where church leaders insist believers face daily threats from violent extremists, displacement, and systemic discrimination.
‘Trump is a God-sent leader’
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Gideon Para-Mallam, a Christian cleric and president of the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, hailed Trump’s intervention as historic.
“President Trump is a God-sent political leader when it comes to the defense of Christianity and the persecution of Christians globally. This is a matter of fact,” Para-Mallam told TruthNigeria.
“You may not agree with his politics and tactics, but you can’t deny his frankness and forthrightness. I would rather have a frank President Trump than a cunning, politically correct President by whatever name.”
Trump compared to Constantine
Drawing from early church history, Para-Mallam likened Trump’s boldness to Emperor Constantine, who decriminalized Christianity through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD.
“Through history God has raised certain political leaders who stood for the defense of Christianity,” he said. “Trump’s words at the UN mirror such courage.”
He criticized global silence in the face of Christian persecution.
“Political correctness remains one of the greatest obstacles. Many world leaders are affected by this virus and consequently unable to defend the rights of Christians. Yet they are quick to speak out if Muslims are affected. Christian lives matter in Nigeria, Iraq, Iran, Burkina Faso, Congo DRC, and elsewhere. President Trump spoke for the voiceless millions of Christians whose despair is ignored in the hallowed chambers of the United Nations.”
‘Over 50 million Christians in Northern Nigeria celebrate Trump’
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern states—representing some 50 million Christians—echoed the endorsement.
“The Church in Northern Nigeria celebrates what Trump says because she is experiencing persecution every day and is worried because many leaders keep denying this truth,” Hayab told TruthNigeria.
“It is sad that many have politicized the issue of religious persecution and are treating victims without sympathy or compassion. Many have become homeless, jobless, and refugees just because of their religious identity.”
Grim statistics
David Onyilokwu Idah of the International Human Rights Commission argued that Trump’s words reflect Nigeria’s brutal reality.
“Between October 2019 and September 2023, at least 13,926 Christians were killed compared to 6,046 Muslims, with 7,722 victims of unknown identity,” Idah said, citing reports by Orfa and TruthNigeria.
He noted that the North Central region has become the epicentre of violence, where Christian deaths outnumber Muslim fatalities 5.5 to 1, largely due to Fulani militia attacks. Security absence, he added, worsened the crisis, while captives reportedly suffered disparate treatment based on religion.
The Church of the Brethren’s devastating losses
According to Idah, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), the largest indigenous denomination in the North-east with 1.5 million members—has been among the worst hit.
“In 2020, Rev. Joel Billi of EYN raised an alarm that 8,370 members, including eight pastors, were killed, while over 700,000 were displaced. Of 60 district councils, 53 were affected, with 300 of 586 branches destroyed. He added that 217 of the abducted Chibok girls belonged to EYN,” Idah recalled.
“Nothing has changed since then,” he said.
Wider accusations
Idah also alleged that persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria extends beyond violence.
He claimed that Christian missionary schools are being confiscated and Islamised, while Christian girls under 18 are groomed and married off to Muslims without parental consent. (More examples.) In several states, Christians are allegedly denied admission to higher institutions and excluded from employment opportunities.
Government response
The Nigerian government has often rejected accusations of targeted persecution, instead framing the violence as part of a broader insecurity crisis involving terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes.
But church leaders argue that such denials only highlight what they describe as the weakness of Christian institutions in Africa.
“Nothing else underscores the weakness of Christian institutions in Nigeria and Africa as much as the statement of the U.S. President,” Idah noted. “Christianity on the continent has become totally subservient to Islamic establishments.”
Lack of action against attacks
He continued: “The painful truth is that no one in Nigeria or Africa has mobilized resources to investigate or stop the relentless killings and attacks on Christians.”
For Para-Mallam, Hayab, and Idah, Trump’s speech reflects both global reality and American awakening to the plight of Christians.
“Finally, we have the Americans to the rescue,” Idah said. “Recall that last week a Texan Senator, Ted Cruz, introduced a bill to hold Nigerian leaders responsible for any form of persecution against Christians. Today, it is Donald Trump raising concerns about persecution of Christians in the world.”
He predicted that Washington’s attention will soon escalate.
“Sooner than you know, we shall have the American Government asking and taking the Nigerian Government to task,” Idah said.
