Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a senior official to lead UK engagement with the Government of Nigeria on freedom of religion or belief, including the protection of (a) Christian communities and (b) other groups affected by religion-based violence.

The UK's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, continues to lead the UK Government's work on FoRB across the world. He visited Nigeria between 18 and 21 May and engaged directly with the Nigerian authorities, religious leaders and civil society on these issues. Nigeria is one of the ten priority countries highlighted in the Government's FoRB strategy, published on 8 July 2025. We continue to support the Nigerian authorities in tackling violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).