British lawmakers have launched a significant diplomatic campaign urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to directly challenge President Bola Tinubu over the “prolific” persecution of Christians during his upcoming historic State Visit to the United Kingdom.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) has submitted a formal letter to Baroness Jenny Chapman, the Minister for Development and Africa, demanding that the protection of human rights and religious minorities be a cornerstone of President Tinubu’s visit. As the Nigerian leader prepares for a historic reception at Windsor Castle by King Charles III—the first state visit by a Nigerian president in 37 years—lawmakers are concerned that the government may prioritize trade and security cooperation over the plight of persecuted believers. DUP MP Jim Shannon, chairman of the group, emphasized that Nigeria must “take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.”
The parliamentary group, which consists of 209 MPs and peers, highlighted the escalating danger for Christians in Nigeria, citing recent coordinated attacks by extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. They specifically pointed to the abduction of 163 worshippers in Kaduna State earlier this year as a symptom of a worsening “wave of kidnappings” targeting the faith. The lawmakers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Nigerian government’s response, accusing the state of failing to treat these lethal attacks with the required level of seriousness. By raising these issues at Downing Street, the APPG aims to ensure that future diplomatic and security partnerships are contingent on Nigeria meeting its international human rights obligations.
A central point of the lawmakers’ demand is the unresolved case of Leah Sharibu, the lone Christian schoolgirl who remains in captivity eight years after the 2018 Dapchi kidnapping for refusing to renounce her faith. The group is urging Sir Keir Starmer to seek a definitive update on her status and to pressure the Tinubu administration for her safe release. As the UK government ramps up security in Windsor for the Wednesday, March 18, 2026, arrival, the APPG remains adamant that the “symbolism of ceremony” must not overshadow the “urgency of justice” for those caught in Nigeria’s religious conflict.
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