President Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria, insisting that such reports are false and misleading.

Speaking on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, at the launch of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s book, A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria, Tinubu maintained that there is no religious hostility in the country.

“There is no religious persecution in Nigeria, it is a lie from the pit of hell. Today, Nigerians can confidently say that we have well-equipped hospitals capable of treating critical illnesses such as cancer. We are investing in the welfare of our people,” Tinubu said.

The president stressed that Nigerians of all faiths coexist peacefully and cautioned against portraying insecurity challenges as targeted religious persecution.

His comments follow a viral clip from American talk show host Bill Maher, who alleged on Real Time with Bill Maher that up to 500,000 Christians had been killed in Nigeria, describing the situation as genocide. The video has since been circulated by international influencers, including Radio Genoa, an anti-Islamic personality on X.