By Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu
Nigeria stands at a painful crossroads today. While citizens across communities continue to suffer violence, displacement, and loss of life, often with religious and ethnic undertones, there remains a persistent and troubling culture of denial at the highest levels of governance. This denial not only deepens wounds but also undermines national unity, accountability, and trust.
It is no longer acceptable to pretend that religiously motivated killings and persecutions do not exist in Nigeria. From the Middle Belt to the North-East and parts of the North-West, communities have been devastated. Places of worship have been attacked, religious leaders abducted or murdered, villages razed, and families forced into displacement. The evidence is overwhelming, documented by local communities, civil society organizations, international human rights bodies, and the victims themselves.
Yet, rather than confront these realities head-on, public funds are reportedly deployed to engage lobbyists, influence international narratives, and project a sanitized image of the country abroad. Government delegations travel to international religious events and diplomatic forums, attempting to downplay or dismiss Nigeria’s internal crisis. This approach is not only misleading but morally indefensible.
When government refuses to acknowledge atrocities, impunity thrives. Perpetrators walk free, emboldened by the absence of consequences. Victims are left abandoned, unheard, and unprotected. This cycle of silence, denial, and inaction fuels further violence, erodes public trust, and weakens the very foundations of national security.
True leadership does not deny problems it confronts them with courage, honesty, and decisive action.
Nigeria does not belong to one religion, one ethnic group, or one political class. It belongs to all Nigerians. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, dignity of the human person, and equal protection under the law. Any system that tolerates selective justice or silence in the face of religious violence betrays these foundational principles.
No Nigerian should be targeted, marginalized, or killed because of their faith, ethnicity, or region. National unity cannot be built on denial and propaganda. It must be built on justice, fairness, and accountability.
Taxpayers’ money must serve the interests of the people not be spent on international image laundering. Funds should prioritize:
- Security and intelligence reform
- Justice for victims
- Community peacebuilding
- Victim rehabilitation and trauma care
- Prosecution of perpetrators
Accountability must extend to security agencies, political leaders, and all institutions responsible for protecting lives and property.
Nigeria urgently needs a national reckoning rooted in truth. Acknowledging the crisis is the first step toward healing. We must invest in dialogue, justice mechanisms, security reform, and reconciliation processes that rebuild trust across religious and ethnic lines.
Silencing the truth will not save Nigeria. Only truth, justice, and responsible leadership will.
To Nigeria’s leaders: the world is watching, but more importantly, history is recording. Choose courage over convenience. Choose justice over image management. Choose accountability over denial.
Nigeria deserves better. Its citizens deserve safety. And the victims deserve justice.
There can be no peace without truth. No unity without justice. No future without accountability.