By Juliet Ezeh
Members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise concerns over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria when he meets with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the Nigerian leader’s upcoming state visit.
The appeal was made by lawmakers from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief, who called on the British government to press Nigeria on the protection of religious freedom and human rights.
In a letter addressed to UK Development Minister Jenny Chapman, the group said Nigeria must take stronger steps to prevent violence, persecution and harassment targeting Christian communities.
The letter, reportedly signed by more than 200 members of parliament and peers, urged British authorities to ensure that the issue forms part of discussions during Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, are expected to attend a state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The visit will also include talks between Tinubu and Starmer at 10 Downing Street, marking the first Nigerian presidential state visit to Britain in nearly four decades.
Chairman of the parliamentary group, Jim Shannon, said Nigeria must demonstrate commitment to protecting religious freedom by ensuring that those responsible for attacks are properly investigated and prosecuted.
The lawmakers also requested updates from the Nigerian government on the case of Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls abducted in 2018 and still believed to be in captivity.
According to the group, the UK should make human rights protections a key consideration in future diplomatic and economic engagement with Nigeria.
Meanwhile, religious issues may also feature during events involving the Nigerian First Lady.
The newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, is expected to host Mrs Tinubu at Lambeth Palace, where discussions on faith and humanitarian support for Nigeria could take place.
Mrs Tinubu is scheduled to attend a prayer service and interact with representatives from the Church of England as well as international charities involved in humanitarian work in Nigeria.
The development highlights how human rights and religious freedom concerns may shape diplomatic conversations during the Nigerian president’s visit to the UK.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.