U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool Jan 27, 21.
The United States on Wednesday removed Nigeria from the list of religious violators.
This was contained in a statement issued by the United States Secretary of State, Mr Antony Blinken.
US also blacklisted Russia, China, and eight other countries.
The communique contained the nations as “Countries of Particular and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
The statement says the US remains committed to working with governments, civil society organisations, and members of religious communities to advance religious freedom around the world.
In 2020, the US placed Nigeria and six other countries on its special watch list of states that had engaged in severe violation of religious freedom.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has commended the United States for removing Nigeria from its list of countries with religious freedom concerns.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Paris, France, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said that Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation or have a policy of religious persecution.
The Minister said Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in that regard.
He assured the United States the Nigerian Government would continue to ensure that every Nigerian has the freedom to practice his or her own chosen religion.
The Information and Culture Minister also commended the religious leaders in the country for working to ensure religious harmony.
Reporting by Stanley Nwosu; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare