A Christian watchdog, Open Doors has ranked Nigeria as the 7th country among 50 countries of the world where Christians face the most persecution.
A report by the US-based organisation released in January, said Jihadist violence continued to escalate in Nigeria while Christians are particularly at risk from targeted attacks from Islamic militants such as Fulani fighters, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).
“Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria, and Christians are particularly at risk from targeted attacks by Islamist militants, including Fulani fighters, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).
“While Christians used to be vulnerable only in the Muslim-majority northern states, this violence continues to spread into the Middle Belt and even further south. The attacks are shockingly brutal. Many believers are killed, particularly men, while women are often kidnapped and targeted for sexual violence.
“More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. These militants also destroy homes, churches and livelihoods. More than 16.2 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, including high numbers from Nigeria, have been driven from their homes by violence and conflict. Millions now live in displacement camps,” the report said.
Open Doors’ annual report mirrors persecution in 50 countries of the world in the previous year.
Nigeria was ranked sixth in the 2024 report, which assessed Christianity in the countries in 2023.
North Korea, Somalia, Yemen maintain lead
In the 2025 Watch List issued in January, North Korea still ranked first among the 50 nations with Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Eritrea following closely in that order.
The other countries listed are Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Mali, China, Maldives, Laos, Mauritania, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Cuba, Central African Republic, Niger, Turkmenistan, Nicaragua, Mexico, Oman, Ethiopia and Tunisia.
Democratic Republic of Congo, Bhutan, Mozambique, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Egypt, Qatar, Comoros, Vietnam, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Brunei, Chad and Jordan are also listed.
4,476 Christians murdered in 2024 globally
Open Doors, said more than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith across the world.
It said in the report, that a total of 4,478 Christians were killed in 2024..
It noted, “Though fewer Christian were killed for their faith in Nigeria compared to last year, it remains disproportionately deadly for Christians, with 3,100 paying the ultimate price for their faith. Sadly, more Christians were killed outside Nigeria, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa countries like DRC, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Niger Republic.”
The report also said in 2024, 4,744 Christians were detained or imprisoned.
“Christians continue to be detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned for following Jesus. In India alone, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial and another 547 were sentenced to prison. Believers were incarcerated for their faith in Eritrea, Bangladesh, Iran amongst others.
Similarly, a total of 7,619 churches and Christian properties were attacked, according to the report.
Full List of the 50 Nations
- 1North Korea
- 2Somalia
- 3Yemen
- 4Libya
- 5Sudan
- 6Eritrea
- 7Nigeria
- 8Pakistan
- 9Iran
- 10Afghanistan
- 11India
- 12Saudi Arabia
- 13Myanmar
- 14Mali
- 15China
- 16Maldives
- 17Iraq
- 18Syria
- 19Algeria
- 20Burkina Faso
- 21Morocco
- 22Laos
- 23Mauritania
- 24Bangladesh
- 25Uzbekistan
- 26Cuba
- 27Central African Republic
- 28Niger
- 29Turkmenistan
- 30Nicaragua
- 31Mexico
- 32Oman
- 33Ethiopia
- 34Tunisia
- 35Democratic Republic of the Congo
- 36Bhutan
- 37Mozambique
- 38Kazakhstan
- 39Tajikistan
- 40Egypt
- 41Qatar
- 42Comoros
- 43Cameroon
- 44Vietnam
- 45Türkiye
- 46Colombia
- 47Kyrgyzstan
- 48Brunei
- 49Chad
- 50Jordan
