Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has said Americans are justified in speaking up for Nigerian Christians facing attacks. His comment comes after recent controversies over the safety of Christians in Nigeria and reactions from international figures.

Lawal stated that many Nigerians often look to Western nations for support and raise complaints when they feel ignored. For this reason, he said, it would be unfair to criticize Americans when they decide to speak out on the issue. According to him, anyone who values human life should be concerned when innocent people are killed, regardless of nationality.

He noted that while Nigeria is a sovereign nation, problems like religious violence attract global attention. Lawal explained that governments are expected to protect their citizens, and when this fails, it is normal for the world to react. International concern, he added, should not be mistaken for interference, especially when it is about security and human rights.

The former SGF encouraged the Nigerian government to strengthen security and ensure all citizens—regardless of religion—are safe. He stressed that national unity and equal protection are more important than political arguments surrounding the issue.

Lawal concluded that constructive dialogue and effective security measures are the best solutions, rather than labeling foreign comments as threats or disrespect to Nigeria.