Mr David Smith MP
UK Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office London, SW1A 2AH
March 2026
Dear David,
We are writing as a group of civil society organisations committed to the protection and promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) worldwide. In light of the upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom by the President of Nigeria, we respectfully request that the UK Government raise, as a matter of priority, the continued insecurity and violence affecting many Christian communities across Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt.
As you know, Nigeria remains one of the countries where religiously targeted violence and impunity continue to cause profound suffering for civilians. Communities across the country face ongoing attacks by armed groups, bandit militias, and other non-state actors. These incidents have resulted in the loss of life, the destruction of property and places of worship, mass displacement, and a climate of fear which severely undermines the exercise of religious freedom.
We recognise that the drivers of violence are complex and all faith groups have suffered at the hands of extremists. However, we remain deeply concerned that Christian communities continue to experience disproportionate harm in the Middle Belt. Survivors and local faith leaders consistently report to us that they receive inadequate protection and limited access to justice from the Nigerian Federal Government.
The UK has long been a constructive partner of Nigeria, and the upcoming state visit provides an important opportunity to encourage stronger protections for all religious communities and to support initiatives aimed at improving security, governance, and accountability.
We therefore believe the UK Government is well placed to:
- Express its concern about the continuing violence affecting Christian and other vulnerable communities.
- Encourage the Nigerian Government to strengthen its security response to attacks, to ensure peace and security for Nigeria’s Christian communities.
- The UK Government should commit to working with the Nigerian Government to further strengthen security through the Strengthening Peace and Resilience Programme in Nigeria (SPRiNG), ensuring that help and support is going to those most in need.
- The UK Government should work closely with other international organisations including the United Nations to address the humanitarian crisis caused by religious violence, including engaging with the recent report by the UN Humanitarian
Co-ordinator, Mohamed Malik Falls.
- Support efforts to address impunity, including improved investigations, prosecutions, and access to justice for victims.
We are grateful for your longstanding leadership and advocacy on global FoRB issues, and we appreciate the UK Government’s continued commitment to these principles.
We hope these concerns can be raised constructively during the state visit and integrated into ongoing bilateral engagement for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Yours sincerely,
| Ayo Adedoyin CEO International Organisation for Peace Building and Social Justice | Dr Caroline Hull, National Director Aid to the Church in Need (UK) |
| Dr Khataza Gondwe Director of Advocacy, Africa and Middle East Team Leader Christian Solidarity Worldwide | Sam Mason CEO Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) |
| Gillian Dare OBE, Stakeholder, UK FORB Forum and UNA-UK. London & SE Region Board Member | Canon Dr Chris Sugden Canon of Jos Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) |
| Dr Christopher Wadibia CEO Wadibia & Company | Andrew Boyd Writer and broadcaster |
| Martin Weightman Director All Faith Network | Dr Ifeolu Omoniyi Akintunde Director of Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians |