Date: July 25, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
WASHINGTON, D.C./ABUJA — Evangelist Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the continued killings of Christians in parts of Nigeria, warning that the violence has reached an alarming level.
In a public statement shared on social media, Graham urged Christians around the world to pray for persecuted believers in Nigeria and appealed directly to Trump to use his influence to encourage the Nigerian government to provide greater protection for Christian communities facing attacks from armed groups.
"Pray for the persecuted Christians in Nigeria," Graham wrote. He also called on President Trump to put pressure on President Tinubu to protect innocent Christians who, he said, are being killed by extremist groups. Graham highlighted the testimony of a Nigerian pastor who said several members of his family had been murdered and that he now feared for his own life.
The renewed appeal comes amid ongoing concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in parts of the country's Middle Belt and northern regions, where attacks by armed groups, extremist organizations, and criminal gangs have displaced thousands of people and claimed numerous lives. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about violence affecting civilian communities.
Graham has been one of the most vocal international religious leaders speaking about violence against Christians in Nigeria. Over the years, he has repeatedly urged governments and international organizations to take stronger action against religious persecution and to support victims of extremist attacks.
The appeal follows signs of improving diplomatic relations between Washington and Abuja. Earlier this week, President Trump praised President Tinubu's efforts to address violence affecting Christian communities, describing his leadership as decisive in a letter released by Nigeria's presidency. The letter also highlighted expanding security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, including intelligence sharing and joint operations against militant groups.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected accusations that Christians are being deliberately targeted by the state or that the violence is exclusively religious in nature. Officials maintain that insecurity affects Nigerians of different religious and ethnic backgrounds and say security forces continue operations against terrorist organizations, bandits, and other armed groups across the country.
Security experts note that Nigeria faces multiple overlapping security threats, including insurgencies linked to extremist organizations, farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping networks, and organized criminal gangs. These complex challenges have strained security resources despite ongoing military operations in several regions.
Religious advocacy organizations, however, continue to argue that Christian communities in certain areas remain especially vulnerable and have urged the international community to keep pressure on Nigerian authorities to improve security and ensure accountability for attacks against civilians.
The issue of religious freedom has remained an important topic in U.S.-Nigeria relations. Previous statements from President Trump criticizing attacks on Christians prompted strong responses from Nigerian officials, though recent diplomatic engagement has emphasized closer cooperation on regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
Franklin Graham's latest appeal is expected to renew international attention on Nigeria's security crisis as humanitarian groups, religious organizations, and foreign governments continue calling for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and reduce violence across the country.