The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has dismissed as misleading and dangerous recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump alleging that Christians are being targeted and killed in Nigeria.
Speaking at his palace on Sunday while marking his 82nd birthday, the traditional ruler said such comments distort Nigeria’s reality and could inflame unnecessary tensions. He emphasised that Nigerians of different faiths have coexisted harmoniously for generations.
Akiolu noted that Christians and Muslims have long shared neighbourhoods, festivities, and common struggles, maintaining unity despite isolated security challenges. Acts of terrorism and criminality in parts of the country, he stressed, are not religiously motivated but are perpetrated by misguided individuals.
He urged global leaders to conduct proper fact-checking before issuing official statements, warning that careless assertions can damage Nigeria’s international reputation and disrupt internal peace.
The monarch also cautioned that Nigeria must not allow divisions along religious, ethnic, or political lines at a time when national stability is crucial.
Beyond the controversy, Akiolu renewed his advocacy for special federal recognition for Lagos, citing its massive population and vital economic contributions. He called for urban renewal initiatives on Lagos Island to be implemented without displacing original residents.
He expressed concern over worsening sanitation in the state and called for the revival of house-to-house environmental inspections once common in the past to strengthen public hygiene and discipline.
Akiolu advised public office holders to shun corruption, warning that leaders will be accountable to both God and future generations. He underscored honesty, discipline, and transparency as essential virtues for Nigeria’s progress.
The monarch urged citizens to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying early signs of positive change under the Renewed Hope Agenda are beginning to show. He expressed optimism that future generations will uphold values of fairness, kindness, and integrity — principles he described as fundamental to responsible leadership and humanity.