Nigeria state visit: please pray

As the Nigerian president prepares for a historic state visit to the UK, let’s join together to pray that leaders will boldly address the violence and persecution facing Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.

It has been 37 years since a Nigerian president last made a state visit to the UK. The upcoming visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, from 18-19 March, represents a significant diplomatic moment between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. It’s the perfect moment for you to pray and to act. 

A state visit is the highest level of official visit between two countries. It usually includes ceremonial events, meetings with senior government leaders, and diplomatic discussions about key issues such as security, trade and human rights. Because heads of state and senior ministers meet directly, state visits create an important opportunity for advocacy raising urgent concerns and encouraging governments to take action.

Joint action

In light of the upcoming state visit, a coalition of leading civil society organisations including Open Doors, Aid to the Church in Need, PSJ UK, CSW and HART wrote a joint letter to David Smith MP, UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) urging the UK government to use this historic state visit as an opportunity to press for tangible improvements in security and accountability. The letter acknowledged that while all faith communities have been affected by insecurity, Christian communities – particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt – continue to suffer ‘disproportionate harm’ amid the ongoing attacks by armed groups, bandit militias and other non-state actors.

The coalition is not the only one urging the UK government to raise the plight of persecuted Christians in Nigeria as a matter of priority. Recently, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise the issue of violence against Christians and wider FoRB violations during the visit. The request of 209 MPs and peers in the group highlights the seriousness of the crisis and the importance of ensuring these concerns are not overlooked.  

Nigeria is one of ten priority countries in the government’s FoRB strategy and currently number seven on the World Watch List 2026, ranking the countries where Christians face the most persecution. During the reporting period, Open Doors research shows that 3,490 Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith, equating to 72% of all Christians killed worldwide for faith-related reasons. 

Raise your voice 

For the Arise Africa petition (calling for protection, justice and restoration for Christians in sub-Saharan Africa), this visit represents a timely opportunity that should not be missed. The UK government’s engagement with the Nigerian leadership offers a powerful moment to call for greater accountability, protection for vulnerable communities and brings much-needed attention to the atrocities faced by religious minorities, particularly Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.  

“It is very, very important for people to speak about the Christians in sub-Saharan Africa,” Pastor Barnabas shared recently. He pastors thousands of believers in a Nigerian displacement camp, who have had to flee their homes because of violence and conflict. “We want people to spread this news to everybody, because we are not safe. Every day, we are attacked. We are being displaced from our homes. We are being deprived of our rights.” 

While advocacy and diplomacy play their part, we know that prayer plays a vital role in the fight for justice and protection for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. As the state visit approaches, we invite you to pray with us, that the UK government will use this occasion to stand for religious freedom and human rights.

Please pray

For the UK Government – that UK leaders will feel the weight of the call for justice and raise religious freedom violations during discussions with the Nigerian delegation. Pray that God will guide conversations and convict hearts to speak up.   

For wisdom and boldness – that decision-makers will have wisdom and discernment to speak with authority, boldness and compassion as they address issues of violence and persecution against Christians.  

For the visit to bring change – that this historic visit leads to meaningful discussions, where leaders act with integrity, accountability is strengthened and the voices of our persecuted family are heard.