In a thoughtful address before a U.S. congressional subcommittee, Representative Jonathan L. Jackson forcefully rejected the increasingly common narrative that Nigeria is embroiled in a one-sided religious war targeting Christians. He called this portrayal a “dangerous fiction,” arguing that it oversimplifies Nigeria’s deeply rooted ethnic, economic, and security challenges.
Jackson highlighted that Nigeria is not a monolithic country but a mosaic of nearly 240 million people, spread across more than 250 ethnic groups and practicing two major religions, Christianity and Islam, that have coexisted for generations. He argued that viewing Nigeria’s suffering purely through the lens of religious persecution distorts the true nature of its security crisis, underplaying factors like terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, economic distress, and weak governance.
He criticized calls for a forceful U.S. military response, stressing that foreign boots on Nigerian soil risk reigniting neocolonial patterns and fueling division. “The answer, I believe, will not be American bombs or boots on the ground. We have not given diplomacy an exhausted chance,” Jackson said.
Pointing to Nigeria’s top security officials, he also noted that of the nine highest-ranking positions, five are Christians, a fact that challenges any simplistic religious narrative. He urged Congress to pivot toward diplomacy and long-term partnership instead, prioritizing humanitarian aid, institutional reform, and respect for Nigeria’s complex social fabric. “We must stand firmly with every victim and survivor … the pain felt by Christian and Muslim communities alike deserves our compassion, and again not our exploitation.”
Jackson’s remarks come amid rising international pressure on Nigeria. In recent weeks, the U.S. designated the country as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations. He warned that weaponizing religious persecution could worsen polarization and distract from the root causes of violence.
Insecurity linked to misframed religious conflict undermines Nigeria’s economic stability by deterring foreign direct investment and disrupting business operations. Persistent violence and misinterpretation of its causes raise risks for investors, weakening confidence and slowing growth.
