By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Nazila Ghanea, has expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity, religious tensions and persistent human rights violations in Nigeria, warning that violence and impunity are threatening the country’s social fabric and undermining fundamental freedoms.
Speaking at the end of a two-week fact-finding mission to Nigeria, Ghanea said her team held extensive consultations with more than 200 stakeholders, including government officials, religious leaders, civil society organisations, lawyers and victims of violence in Abuja, Kano and Plateau states.
According to the UN envoy, the mission sought to examine the state of freedom of thought, conscience and religion in Nigeria and how these rights intersect with other fundamental human rights. She described Nigeria as a country of immense diversity, noting its large population, numerous ethnic groups, states and local governments, which make it one of the world’s most pluralistic societies.
Despite this diversity, Ghanea observed that discussions about Nigeria are often reduced to simplistic religious and regional narratives that fail to capture the country’s complex realities. She warned that portraying Nigeria solely as a “Muslim North” and “Christian South” risks deepening divisions and restricting citizens’ freedom to define and express their beliefs independently.
The Special Rapporteur explained that her assessment was guided by international human rights standards on freedom of religion or belief, which guarantee the rights of people of all faiths, including Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers, atheists and followers of indigenous spiritual beliefs. She stressed that every individual has the right to adopt, change, practise or reject a religion without coercion or discrimination.
She noted that freedom of religion extends beyond worship and includes the right to teach, observe, practise and publicly manifest one’s beliefs. However, any restrictions on religious expression, she said, must be lawful, necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory, in accordance with international human rights obligations.
Ghanea said nearly every discussion held during the mission was dominated by concerns over insecurity, violence and conflict. She listed terrorism, banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings, arson, attacks on schools and places of worship, land disputes and mass displacement as major threats affecting communities across the country.
According to her, repeated attacks, particularly in rural communities, have resulted in the destruction of villages, loss of livelihoods and widespread displacement. Many victims reported receiving little or no justice, while others said they had been forced to negotiate with armed groups to survive.
She disclosed that several communities complained about inadequate security responses, with some residents accusing authorities of failing to intervene during attacks. The resulting frustration, she said, has contributed to the growth of vigilante groups and community self-help arrangements, raising concerns about the increasing proliferation of weapons and armed groups.
The UN envoy also raised concerns over the requirement for citizens to disclose their religious affiliation during job applications, school admissions, recruitment processes and other official procedures. According to her, such practices reinforce religion as a dominant organising principle in society and may encourage discrimination and political manipulation.
Ghanea acknowledged that opinions differ regarding the causes of violent conflicts in Nigeria. While some stakeholders believe the violence is driven by religion, others attribute it to factors such as land disputes, economic competition, climate change and criminality. However, she stressed that victims who have suffered repeated attacks and received little justice often view their experiences as persecution.
She called on Nigeria to domesticate the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to enable domestic prosecution of international crimes and improve accountability. She also urged authorities to prioritise victim-centred investigations and ensure that perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.
The Special Rapporteur further expressed concerns over blasphemy laws and aspects of Nigeria’s plural legal system, noting that some state laws may conflict with constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression, religious liberty and non-discrimination. She said these issues would receive detailed attention in her final report.
Despite the challenges, Ghanea praised the resilience of Nigerian civil society, religious leaders and victims who continue to advocate peace, justice and coexistence. She expressed confidence that Nigeria possesses the expertise, institutions and youthful population needed to strengthen freedom of religion and belief, while emphasizing that significant work remains to be done.
Her final report on Nigeria will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2027.
