The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, has come under criticism over what has been described as a change in his position on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah’s latest remarks were made on October 21, 2025, during the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom at the Augustinianum Hall, Vatican City. While acknowledging Nigeria’s deep-rooted security and governance challenges, the Bishop cautioned against measures that could isolate the country internationally.

According to him, “Designating my country, Nigeria, a Country of Concern will only make our work in the area of dialogue among religious leaders in our county elsewhere with the Nigerian state even harder. It will only increase tensions, sow doubt, open windows of suspicion and fear, and simply allow the criminals and perpetrators of violence to exploit”

Activist, Dr Thompson Udenwa, in a statement in Abuja, faults Bishop Kukah’s recent remarks, noting that they appeared to contradict his previous advocacy for stronger international action against Nigeria over religious intolerance and attacks on Christian community.

Udenwa recalled that a few years ago, Bishop Kukah was among those who urge the United States Government to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, following reports of church burnings targeted killings, and others.

He, however, expressed concern that the cleric’s latest comments reflected what he described as an inconsistency that should not be seen in political and religious leaders.