The United States government has removed Nigeria from the list of countries blacklisted for “engaging in violation of religious freedom”.

In December 2020, the US had listed Nigeria among countries blacklisted for “violating religious freedom”.

However,  Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has described the US allegation as a case of “an honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria”.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, announced 10 countries “of particular concern”, with Nigeria now missing from the list.

“The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country.  In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs,” the statement reads.

“This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.

“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.