TSIC Proposes Global PR Campaign, Interfaith Taskforce to Counter U.S. Genocide Claims
A coalition of Nigerian communication strategists and scholars has unveiled a sweeping plan to challenge the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for alleged religious freedom violations, describing the move as a “narrative war” rooted in oversimplification and disinformation.
The School of Impactful Communication (TSIC), a network of public relations professionals and academics, released a detailed roadmap rejecting what it calls the U.S. narrative of “systematic Christian persecution” in Africa’s most populous nation. Instead, the group argues Nigeria’s security crisis is driven by terrorism, banditry, ethnic tensions, and resource competition that affect citizens of all faiths.
“The CPC designation is not just a diplomatic challenge, it is a narrative war,” said Ishola Ayodele, TSIC convener and crisis communication expert, in a communiqué titled “Navigating the U.S. CPC Designation: A Strategic Roadmap for Diplomatic Re-engagement, Narrative Reframing, and Domestic Accountability.”
TSIC likened the CPC label to psychological operations (Psyop), warning that it fuels disinformation campaigns and external interference. The group cited the proliferation of AI-generated propaganda online, including misleading maps and fabricated narratives of religiously targeted violence, as evidence of “active measures” designed to deepen divisions.
President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a CPC on October 31 under the International Religious Freedom Act, a move that could trigger sanctions. Days later, he threatened military intervention to stop what he described as mass killings of Christians — remarks that drew sharp rebukes from Abuja and reignited debate over the true nature of violence in Nigeria.
TSIC’s roadmap, endorsed by its Council of Elders, outlines measures to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and reshape global perceptions. It calls for an interfaith taskforce co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah to oversee transparent investigations into violence and produce data-driven dashboards disaggregating casualties by faith and region. The group also recommends immediate diplomatic outreach to Washington, Brussels, and other capitals through delegations of seasoned diplomats and interfaith leaders armed with verified evidence challenging what it calls “the myth of systematic religious persecution.”
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A comprehensive media strategy is also proposed, positioning Nigeria’s reality as “a unified fight against terror, not faiths.” Plans include social media campaigns showcasing interfaith cooperation, op-eds in international outlets by Nigerian thought leaders, a rapid-response media unit using AI-driven sentiment analysis to counter misinformation, and a government-backed “Nigeria Unity Report” presenting verified data on security threats and interfaith relations.
PRNigeria reports that TSIC’s plan represents one of the most detailed civil society responses yet, offering Abuja a potential blueprint to reframe global perceptions of Nigeria.
The proposals come as President Bola Tinubu faces criticism for leaving key ambassadorial posts vacant, including Nigeria’s mission in Washington, since recalling all envoys in late 2023. Opposition figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, have linked the diplomatic vacuum to Nigeria’s weakened ability to counter damaging narratives abroad.
TSIC’s intervention also reflects growing unease over the reliability of data shaping U.S. policy. Reports by groups such as Open Doors and Intersociety claim tens of thousands of Christians have been killed for their faith. But the BBC’s Global Disinformation Unit recently described Intersociety’s methodology as “opaque,” noting discrepancies in its figures.
Independent monitors offer a more nuanced view. A 2022 study by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project found that attacks explicitly targeting Christians for their faith accounted for just 5 percent of civilian violence between January 2020 and June 2022, even as overall insecurity worsened.
TSIC’s stance echoes positions taken by Nigerian interfaith and civic groups. The Arewa Consultative Forum has urged that foreign assistance strengthen Nigeria’s military broadly, not favor one religious community. The pan-Yoruba group Afenifere insists no foreign power has the right to intervene militarily in Nigeria. Even the Christian Association of Nigeria’s northern chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, while welcoming pressure on Abuja to improve security, has stressed the need for solutions that protect all Nigerians.
The School of Impactful Communication is a collective of Nigerian public relations and strategic communication professionals and scholars. Dedicated to ethical, evidence-based messaging, TSIC seeks to bridge academic rigor and practical expertise to craft narratives that unite, heal, and transform.
By PRNigeria
