Lenten Campaign 2025
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Nigeria has once again been named the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian, according to the newly released 2025 Global Persecution Index by International Christian Concern (ICC). The report reveals that at least 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria over the past two decades, with hundreds of thousands more displaced due to persecution.
Despite the staggering loss of life, very little has been done to protect Christians from violent extremist groups, raising concerns about government inaction and the growing power of jihadist factions.
A global crisis, with Nigeria at its center
The 2025 Global Persecution Index, an expanded version of ICC’s annual report, examines the worst hotspots of Christian persecution worldwide. ICC President Jeff King emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Approximately 300 million Christians worldwide face persecution of all types, including imprisonment, torture, and assassination."
While countries like Nicaragua, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have seen worsening conditions for Christians, Nigeria remains at the top of the list.
The groups behind the attacks
Nigeria’s Christian communities are under constant threat from multiple extremist factions. Boko Haram, one of the most notorious jihadist groups in the region, has waged a campaign of violence against Christian villages, schools, and churches. Meanwhile, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an ISIS-affiliated terrorist group, continues to target Christians with kidnappings and massacres.
Another major aggressor is the Fulani militant herdsmen, an armed group known for attacking Christian farmers, often over disputes related to land and water resources.
Recent attacks and the call for international action
Violence against Christians in Nigeria has escalated already in 2025. ICC’s 2025 Global Persecution Index urges policymakers to take decisive action by appointing a special envoy to address the crisis.
A story of suffering — and resilience
Despite the increasing dangers, the 2025 Global Persecution Index also highlights hopeful stories of resilience and faith. Even in the most oppressive environments, the Gospel continues to spread, and Christian communities persist. The report serves as a wake-up call to decision-makers, journalists, and advocates worldwide, urging them to support persecuted Christians through prayer, advocacy, and action.
