Bill Maher, HBO comedian and host of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” did a segment highlighting the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and contrasting it with the relative silence from college activists who have been protesting the alleged genocide in Gaza. It is incredibly rare for reports of Christian persecution around the world to make mainstream American news, and it’s to our shame as Christians that it took a secular atheist to raise the plight of our brothers and sisters in Christ to global prominence.
In order to advocate effectively for Nigerian Christians, it is worth exploring the extent of Christian persecution in Nigeria. There was recently a fresh wave of attacks by Fulani tribesmen, a group of nomadic Muslim farmers. Fulani attacks starting on Oct. 14 left at least 23 Christians dead, and others injured or displaced. Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of Nigeria pleaded with American political leaders and the public at large to intervene on behalf of Christians in his country, who are experiencing this long-running genocide.
In response to these reports, the Trump administration has taken some steps to address the issue: labeled Nigeria a nation of particular concern over the treatment of the Christian minority, threatened the Nigerian government with U.S. military action if it doesn’t act to stop the violence, and restricted U.S. visa access for Nigerians who have ties to violence against Christians. While it is encouraging to see the American government motivated to action on behalf of any persecuted group, it should be noted that recent well-intentioned military interventions have proven to be more complicated than initially anticipated. As some are reporting the situation in Nigeria, should the U.S. choose military engagement, it could turn into a very protracted conflict, as Boko Haram is a very organized and militarized group. Prudence is essential for effective advocacy and care for persecuted Christians.
According to a comprehensive report from the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law out of Nigeria (Intersociety), Islamic militants are destroying over 100 Christian churches every month. Since the Islamic terror group Boko Haram began its violent campaigns in 2009, over 19,000 churches have been attacked in Nigeria. Over 185,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to jihadi violence since 2009, and two-thirds of those were Christians. As of October 2025, over 7,000 Christians were killed, with many more kidnapped.
It has been noted that there is some argument over the causes of the violence faced by Christians in Nigeria. While in the northernmost part of the country, the intentions of the terrorist group Boko Haramare pretty indisputably about persecuting Christians, the Fulani attacks have more mixed motives, including tribal and economic factors. Nevertheless, I believe it is a mistake for Christians in the West to turn away from the plight of their coreligionists in Nigeria and around the world, facing persecution for their faith. In fact, Christians have a moral obligation to care about persecuted minorities of all faith backgrounds.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Erik Dumont, from the Otsego, Michigan, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, who is in the process of relocating to Nigeria to work as a full-time missionary and to establish an Adventist school and mission in the country. In his talks with the local Nigerian Christians he will be ministering to, they have expressed to him that the religious tensions are real. Dumont told me that he hopes God will be able to use his mission to meet the material needs of both Nigerian Christians and local Fulani families, starting with education and food and then with the Adventist message of the soon-coming of Jesus.
As Christians in the United States, it is easy to take for granted the religious freedom that we have. We walk into our churches on Saturday or Sunday morning, and we don’t even really think twice about what a privilege it is to do that without fear. But for millions of Christians around the world, especially in places like Nigeria, going to church is not a luxury; it is a risk they bear for their Savior.
We can, and should, use our freedom to advocate on behalf of persecuted Christians and other minorities around the world. Contact your local congressional representatives, and donate money to reputable and relevant charities and missions. Most simply and maybe most importantly, pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, especially those facing persecution.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.