British lawmakers have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to confront Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over the killing of Christians during the Nigerian leader’s state visit to the United Kingdom.
Tinubu, who will be accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, where they are expected to attend a state banquet as guests of honour.
The Nigerian president will later travel to 10 Downing Street for talks with Starmer on Thursday. The visit is expected to mark the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years.
Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) have written to the UK Development Minister, Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, urging the British government to raise concerns about the protection of human rights in Nigeria.
The appeal follows growing international concern about attacks on Christians in Nigeria, particularly by armed groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
According to the lawmakers, at least 163 Christian worshippers were kidnapped earlier this year in northern Kaduna State, highlighting a pattern of abductions and violence targeting Christian communities.
Chairman of the parliamentary group, Jim Shannon, said Nigeria must “take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.”
The group, which includes 209 MPs and peers, also expressed concern that Nigerian authorities have not responded to the attacks with the level of urgency required.
They further asked the UK government to provide updates on the case of Leah Sharibu, one of the 110 schoolgirls abducted in 2018 who reportedly remains in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
APPG FoRB also urged Starmer to ensure that human rights considerations remain central to future diplomatic, security and trade engagements with Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, is expected to host Oluremi Tinubu at Lambeth Palace on Thursday, where discussions may also touch on human rights issues.
During the visit, the Nigerian First Lady, who is also a Christian pastor, will attend a prayer service and is expected to deliver a sermon. She will also meet representatives of the Church of England and faith-based charities operating in Nigeria, including Christian Aid, at a reception at Lambeth Palace.
