Abuja: The Kukah Centre (TKC), a Nigerian public policy institute, has issued a statement defending its founder, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, following what it called “mischaracterizations” of his remarks on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The clarification comes amid growing public and media debate over the scale and nature of religious violence in the country.
In a press release on Tuesday, TKC’s Executive Director, Father Atta Barkindo, criticized the media for presenting Bishop Kukah’s comments out of context. The remarks, delivered during the launch of the 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom at the Vatican on October 21 and later at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna on November 28, were, according to Barkindo, distorted in public reporting.
“TKC has followed recent reports with humility and attention,” Barkindo said. “Much of what has been circulated does not reflect the context of His Lordship Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah’s observations, nor his decades of work on religious freedom in Nigeria.” He added that the foundation welcomes the public interest in both the issue of religious freedom and the bishop’s insights.
During his address in Kaduna, Bishop Kukah reportedly questioned claims that Nigeria is witnessing a genocide against Christians. He specifically challenged the oft-cited figure that “1,200 churches are burned every year,” asking skeptically, “In which Nigeria?” and noting that no verification had been made with the Catholic Church.
The bishop emphasized that the term “genocide” is not determined solely by the number of deaths or attacks but by the intent to systematically destroy a group. “You can kill 10 million people, and it still won’t amount to genocide,” he said. Kukah also cautioned against conflating all violent incidents with martyrdom, highlighting that some attacks may be criminal or opportunistic rather than religiously motivated.
Kukah’s stance has sparked debate among religious leaders and advocacy groups. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described the ongoing violence against Christians as a “Christian genocide,” arguing that attacks are frequently targeted at Christian communities. Critics of Kukah warn that emphasizing intent or official data may underplay the lived experiences of Christians who feel vulnerable and unsafe. Some fear that downplaying the genocide narrative could reduce international attention and support for affected communities.
In its press release, TKC reiterated that Bishop Kukah has never minimized the seriousness of faith-based persecution in Nigeria. Barkindo noted that the bishop’s remarks at the Vatican acknowledged the existence of a significant crisis: “By whatever names we choose, the fact is that Nigerians are dying unacceptable deaths across the country. In many cases, they are targeted because of their beliefs but also because of their ethnicity.”
The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to zero tolerance for religious persecution, expressing solidarity with victims and communities, and calling for accountability for perpetrators. TKC emphasized that its work continues to focus on protecting freedom of conscience, promoting dialogue, and addressing the complex realities of violence affecting Christian communities in northern Nigeria.