Following the blacklisting of Nigeria by the United States over Religious Freedom Violations, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that it will be engaging the U.S government in a bid to remove Nigeria from its blacklist of countries over concerns of religious freedom. The ministry's spokesperson, Mr. Ferdinand Nwonye made the disclosure in Abuja following the U.S announcement of blacklisting Nigeria for "engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations" under its Religious Freedom Act of 1998, expressing the government's displeasure of its inclusion on the list.
In a statement, the ministry said the government is committed to ensuring respect and protection of all citizens' right to religious freedom as well as the promotion of religious tolerance and harmony.
"The attention of the ministry has been drawn to an announcement made by the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, stating that the government of the United States of America has designated Nigeria as a ‘country of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998’.
"The Federal Government of Nigeria received the news with surprise, that a secular country under a democratic government will be so designated.
"Although the Nigerian state is multi-religious and multi-ethnic, the Nigerian constitution expressly states that the government shall not adopt any religion as the state religion.
"Furthermore, section 38 of the constitution guarantees that every Nigerian citizen is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion including freedom to change his/her religion or belief.
"And freedom to manifest and propagate his/her religion or belief. Religious liberty in Nigeria has never been in question, therefore any claim contrary to that is completely false and untrue.
"The ministry wishes to assure that the Nigerian government will engage the U.S government to express its displeasure and request that Nigeria is removed from the list," it said.