Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), has cautioned American comedian and political commentator, Bill Maher, against spreading what he described as disinformation aimed at portraying Nigeria as a country engaged in the genocide of Christians.
Maher, who also hosts the HBO talk show Real Time with Bill Maher, claimed on the September 26, 2025 edition of the programme that over 100,000 Christians had been systematically killed in Nigeria and about 18,000 churches burnt, describing it as an Islamist attempt to wipe out the Christian population.
Reacting to the claim, Fani-Kayode dismissed it as false and a deliberate attempt to divide Nigeria along religious lines.
“Bill Maher, a prominent American media personality, together with Radio Genoa, alleged that 500,000 Christians were killed by terrorists in Nigeria within the last year. This is completely untrue. It is pure disinformation,” Fani-Kayode said.
He argued that the timing of Maher’s statement — coming just days after Nigeria’s Vice President delivered what he described as a “historic and courageous” speech at the United Nations — was suspicious. The Vice President had condemned the killings in Gaza and called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to Fani-Kayode, Maher’s remarks were part of a coordinated smear campaign designed to “divide, defame, and destabilize” Nigeria, ultimately paving the way for sanctions and international pressure.
While acknowledging that terrorists have unleashed deadly attacks across the country, the former minister stressed that both Christians and Muslims have been victims, insisting the killers are criminals who do not represent Islam.
“Let me be clear: we do have terrorists in this country, and people are being killed. But it is not only Christians; Muslims are also victims. These terrorists are criminals, not representatives of the Islamic faith. Our security forces are confronting them decisively,” he said.
Fani-Kayode further emphasized that Nigeria is capable of handling its security challenges without relying on foreign powers.
“The notion that only Christians are being slaughtered here is a complete falsehood — a lie from the pit of hell. No one will divide us along religious lines. We are fighting terrorists together, as Christians and Muslims,” he added.
