Mr. Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has requested the complete, unedited broadcast of his interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Tuggar confirmed on X that he appeared on the program to counter inaccurate reporting, stating his goal was to provide “a factual and contextual perspective on the misleading narratives and allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.”
He added: “My explanations, supported by verifiable data, may not have conformed to certain preconceived views.”
Tuggar emphasized the need for transparency, saying, “For the sake of integrity and transparency, it is essential that the full interview be aired exactly as recorded, without edits or selective omissions. Nigeria’s truth must not be distorted to fit external biases.”
The interview, which has yet to be released on Morgan’s YouTube channel, has sparked a debate over how Nigeria’s religious situation is portrayed internationally.
During a recent meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Berlin, Tuggar reiterated that it is “impossible” for the Nigerian government to persecute citizens on religious grounds, citing the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion and the rule of law.
He warned that such narratives only deepen divisions and hinder efforts to promote peace and coexistence.
The controversy follows a U.S. Congressional hearing in March that considered sanctioning Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) over alleged Christian persecution.
In April, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report describing the “Christian genocide” claim as a “dangerous, single, linear narrative,” urging analysts to adopt a more nuanced understanding of the country’s complex ethno‑religious dynamics.
Despite these efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump re‑designated Nigeria as a CPC on October 31, accusing the government of failing to curb attacks against Christians.
The minister’s push for an unedited interview is seen as part of a broader strategy to counter what he calls “misleading” international coverage.
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