Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Nigerian counterpart on (a) reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria and (b) the defence of the rights to freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence across Nigeria and is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for communities of all faiths. I [Minister Andrew Mitchell] discussed the effects of insecurity on communities with President-elect Tinubu in December 2022. Additionally, in July 2022, at the UK's Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, the Nigerian High Commissioner reiterated his Government's commitment to freedom of religion or belief. Our High Commission in Nigeria regularly engages with Nigerian officials and local communities on this. We will continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to assist affected communities and implement long-term solutions.