The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday constituted a 12-member ad-hoc committee to advise the National Assembly on how to respond to mounting international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution and possible acts of genocide against Christians in parts of the country.
The decision was reached following a closed-door session in which lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States government suggesting that Christians in Nigeria may be victims of targeted violence tantamount to genocide.
This development comes amid increasing diplomatic scrutiny and growing fears over the potential impact such allegations could have on Nigeria’s international standing, interfaith harmony, and foreign relations.
Committee Mandate and Members
The newly formed committee has been tasked with drafting a comprehensive position paper for submission to both the Executive arm of government and the Senate. The document will articulate Nigeria’s official legislative stance and provide factual, data-backed insights for use in ongoing global engagements.
Members of the committee include Senators:
- Victor Umeh
- Yemi Adaramodu
- Aniekan Bassey
- Niyi Adegbonmire
- Abdul Ningi
- Titus Zam
- Tony Nwoye
- Tahir Munguno
- Asuquo Ekpenyong
Additional members are expected to be named as the committee begins its work.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the committee’s formation, emphasized the need for the final report to be based on verifiable facts and statistics. He also highlighted the importance of countering what he described as “misleading narratives” that could distort the global understanding of Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
Senate to Engage U.S. Congress
Prior to the committee’s formation, the Senate passed a resolution to directly engage with the United States Congress to address the allegations. The move followed a motion raised by Senator Ali Ndume, which led to a wider debate on the international portrayal of Nigeria’s internal security issues.
During deliberations, several lawmakers expressed concern that some of the global narratives—though often driven by well-meaning advocacy—fail to accurately reflect the multifaceted nature of violence in Nigeria, where both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorist attacks and banditry.
“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected,” Akpabio stated. “We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and our counterparts in the U.S. must understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.”
He also proposed that a smaller Senate delegation travel to the United States for direct engagement with American lawmakers, stressing the need for sensitive and private diplomatic dialogue.
Strategic, Knowledge-Based Approach Urged
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim added that Nigeria’s counterterrorism approach should be guided by strategic, knowledge-based methods, rather than reactionary responses to external criticism.
The Senate committee is expected to begin its work immediately, with recommendations to be submitted in the coming weeks.
