No, Bill Maher, there is no ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria

One of the figures driving this propaganda is American comedian and television host Bill Maher, who used his show to deliver a sensationalised account alleging the systematic slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. “I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram,” he said. “This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.” His sources are largely fabricated claims and manipulated images from unverified outlets. These distorted narratives drew applause from his audience, while Fox News, true to form, amplified them.

This misinformation – aimed at maligning Nigeria as much as undermining the gravity of the situation in Gaza – is linked to Nigeria’s position at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly. By reaffirming support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict, Nigeria challenged powerful interests invested in one-sided narratives...

The truth, affirmed by data, is that religiously motivated killings account for only a small fraction of Nigeria’s violence, and many so-called religious attacks are entangled with ethnic and resource-based conflicts. Understanding this nuance is essential. It enables Nigerians and the international community to support holistic solutions that strengthen security, promote dialogue and drive development, rather than being misled by simplistic framings of Muslims versus Christians. Nigeria’s armed forces, led by both Christians and Muslims, stand united in defence of all Nigerians against terror.