The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has praised President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the most peaceful Christmas celebration in many years, noting the absence of attacks on churches across the country.
CAN President, Most Revd Daniel Okoh, made this known on Friday after a courtesy visit to President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Lagos.
According to Okoh, the 2025 Christmas season marked a significant turning point for Christians in Nigeria.
“This Christmas happened to be the first in many years that we are not waking up with a phone call at midnight to say that a church was attacked. It is a testimony that we must share, and we hope and pray that this will continue,” he said.
He explained that the visit was also an opportunity to felicitate with the First Family and commend them for their efforts in supporting the poor and promoting national progress.
The commendation comes against the backdrop of rising international attention on Nigeria’s security situation, particularly claims of Christian persecution by some United States lawmakers and evangelical groups.
In October 2025, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he described as an “existential threat” to Christianity. Trump also threatened to cut off US aid and take military action if the Nigerian government failed to stop the alleged killings of Christians.
Following the designation, Republican Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, accusing Boko Haram, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militants of systematic persecution of Christians.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected these claims.
On Christmas Day, President Trump announced that US forces had carried out multiple airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria. The US Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes took place in Sokoto State and were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, revealed that the operation was approved by President Tinubu after Nigeria provided the intelligence used for the strikes. Tuggar disclosed that he held a 19-minute phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio before Tinubu gave the final approval.
