On Tuesday, 13 January 2026, the UK House of Commons held an important adjournment debate on Nigeria’s Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), a critical human rights issue that has deep implications for peace, justice, and stability in Nigeria and for the global human rights agenda. The debate, led by David Smith MP, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, provided a platform for highlighting ongoing persecution, legal violations, and communal insecurities that affect millions of Nigerians.
As an advocacy organisation dedicated to promoting human rights and social justice in Nigeria, PSJ UK welcomes the attention this debate brought to a human rights crisis that has been too often ignored or misunderstood.
The Scales of the Challenge
In his opening remarks, Mr. Smith MP reminded Parliament that Nigeria currently tops the list of countries where the highest number of Christians are killed for their beliefs, more than in all other countries combined, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The Envoy did not limit the issue to the persecution of Christians only, but he acknowledged that the targeting of Christians was definitely present and ought to be noted and addressed. Mr. David Smith MP noted that the various shades of violence and attacks in Nigeria affect people of all beliefs and none, including Christians, moderate Muslims, practitioners of traditional faiths, humanists, and those labelled as “apostates” or “blasphemers” under some state laws.
This affirmation aligns with PSJ UK’s understanding of freedom of religion or belief as a universal human right that safeguards dignity for everyone, regardless of faith identity or lack thereof. PSJUK does, however, advocate against the social injustice of Christian persecution and marginalization, as it is often not acknowledged and not sufficiently addressed.
Violence, Law, and Unequal Protection
One of the core themes raised in the debate was that Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion or belief are being undermined in practice, both through violent attacks by armed groups and through discriminatory laws at the state level.
Key points include:
- Violence and insecurity in northern and central regions of Nigeria have become a daily reality, with church attacks, kidnappings, and communal killings reported frequently. Many analysts also note how extremist and criminal groups exploit religious identity to fuel and complicate conflicts.
- Blasphemy and apostasy laws, enforced in some Nigerian states, are used to suppress free expression and belief, even though Nigeria’s federal constitution guarantees freedom of conscience.
- The crisis is not simply one of religion, but one of law enforcement, justice, and political accountability, in which vulnerable communities are left without protection or redress.
- This is consistent with expert assessments that call for Nigeria to reform discriminatory laws and ensure that blasphemy provisions, criminalising speech or belief, are repealed in line with international human rights standards.
Cross-Party Concern and Government Response
MPs from various parties, including the DUP’s Jim Shannon and Reform’s ex-Tory Danny Kruger, emphasised that protecting freedom of religion or belief must not be a partisan issue, and urged the UK government to use its diplomatic voice more effectively to ensure this freedom in Nigeria.
The UK Government’s Response
The Minister, Stephen Doughtey MP, responding on behalf of the Government, reaffirmed that Nigeria is one of ten priority countries in the UK’s Freedom of Religion or Belief strategy. He described the Government’s ongoing engagement with Nigerian authorities, civil society, and international partners to promote peacebuilding and community resilience.
PSJ UK supports the UK’s commitment to values-based foreign policy, and we are encouraged that these concerns are being raised at the highest diplomatic levels. However, we also believe that words must translate into measurable protection and tangible change for affected communities on the ground.
What This Means for PSJ UK and Our Supporters
This debate confirms what PSJ UK has long advocated: freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria remains at a critical juncture, with profound implications for human rights, peace, and justice.
We urge our supporters to recognise three essential priorities that emerged from the debate and must now guide action:
- Push for Legal Reform in Nigeria
Discriminatory laws criminalising blasphemy or apostasy undermine constitutional protections and fuel distrust and persecution. PSJ UK calls on the UK government and international partners to press for repeal and reform of such legal provisions.
- Amplify Civil Society Voices
Communities on the ground must be heard. Nigeria’s civic organisations, religious leaders, and grassroots peacebuilders should be supported to shape policy solutions, not just be subjects of international advocacy.
- Build Long-Term Security and Justice Strategies
Diplomatic engagement should extend to security sector reform, judicial transparency, and accountability for perpetrators of violence. Peacebuilding, restorative justice, and community resilience must be central to international support frameworks.
PSJ UK’s Commitment and How You Can Help
PSJ UK continues to stand with Nigerians who are persecuted, displaced, or marginalised because of who they are and what they believe. Our mission is to bring truth, justice, and peace to the forefront of public discourse and policy in the UK, in Nigeria, and across the world. (PSJ UK)
If you believe in Peace, human dignity and equality for all, your support is vital. Please:
- Write to your MP to encourage sustained parliamentary attention to freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria. You can do this easily on our website.
Write to your MP
- Share information about the challenge with your networks and communities. You can host a cluster meeting with your friends, family or other associates in your home or at a venue and invite a PSJUK Rep in to speak to the group – Click Here to request support to set up a Cluster meeting.
- Engage with PSJ UK’s campaigns and petitions to influence international policy with informed public pressure.
Lastly, but very importantly, you can help to sustain PSJUK’s nation-building efforts by making a regular donation of a small, comfortable amount to drive Peace, social Justice and transformation projects in Nigeria. 👉🏿 Recurring 2 sustain PSJ UK
Together, we can champion a future in which every person in Nigeria and everywhere can live with dignity, freedom, and justice.
Credit: Ayo Adedoyin, CEO, PSJUK
International Organisation for Peace Building & Social Justice (PSJ UK) is a UK-based advocacy movement mobilising the Nigerian diaspora and global partners to confront violence, persecution, and systemic injustice in Nigeria. Through research, media advocacy, community action, and strategic engagement with policymakers, PSJ UK amplifies the voices of victims and drives coordinated action for peace, justice, and accountability.
Join the movement and become part of a growing network committed to building a safer, fairer Nigeria
