Nigeria: Treatment of Christians who relocate from northern parts of Nigeria by society in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; their linguistic, economic and social situation (2021–November 2023)
1. National Overview
According to the CIA World Factbook, in 2018 10.6 percent of the population of Nigeria was Roman Catholic, and 35.3 percent was "other" Christian (US 2023-10-03). According to the Pew Research Center, a "nonpartisan fact tank" which conducts "data-driven" social science research including opinion polling (Pew Research Center n.d.), in 2015 Christians made up 48.1 percent of the country's population (Pew Research Center 2019-03-31).
A report by the UK House of Commons Library on religious minorities in Nigeria notes that while Islam is the "dominant" religion in the north-west and the north-east regions of Nigeria, Christianity is the "dominant" faith in the south-west, including the city of Lagos, and the south-east parts of the country (UK 2023-04-12, 2). Encyclopædia Britannica indicates that "more than three-fourths" of the people in eastern states are Christians (Encyclopædia Britannica 2023-08-03).
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, there exists "continuing conflict" between Muslims and Christians as well as between these groups and followers of "traditional" Nigerian religions (Encyclopædia Britannica 2023-08-03). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an Africa Regional Specialist at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) [1] added that amidst a "broader rise in overall political violence" in Nigeria, Christians have become a "more common" target of such violence since 2020 (ACLED 2023-09-28). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. For further information on the situation of Christians, including those living in northern cities, Lagos, and Abuja, see Response to Information Request NGA201703 of November 2023.
2. Port Harcourt
According to sources Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State (Encyclopædia Britannica 2023-08-03; Amnesty International 2022-02-15, 2), and has a population of 3.480 million (US 2023-10-03) or "over" 3 million (Amnesty International 2022-02-15, 2).
Sources report that in May 2023 (Legit 2023-05-31) or "recently" (General Secretary 2023-09-27), the Governor of Rivers State "declared" it to be a "Christian state" (Legit 2023-05-31; General Secretary 2023-09-27); Legit, a Nigeria-based news website (Legit n.d.), added that the Governor "declared" that the state would be "governed by Christian ethics and values" (Legit 2023-05-31).
According to ACLED, there has been "infrequent" violence targeting Christians across Rivers State in "recent years," "averaging less than 3% of the total number of civilian targeting events since 2020" (ACLED 2023-09-28).
2.1 Population of Christians
In an interview with the Research Directorate, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), "a fellowship of churches in Nigeria" which includes fourteen member churches and seven associate members (CCN n.d.), speaking on their own behalf, stated that Christianity is the "major religion" in Southern Nigeria (General Secretary 2023-09-27). The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an "independent" and "nonpartisan" US-based think tank and publisher on international affairs (CFR n.d.), indicates in an article published in 2018 that the south and east of Nigeria including Port Harcourt is "majority Christian" and that in that part of the country "Boko Haram–related violence is all but absent" (CFR 2018-08-20).
Radio Maria, an Italy-based radio station of "prayer and evangelization" with a network in Italy and Africa (Radio Maria n.d.), indicates that "over" 1 million Catholics are part of the Diocese of Port Harcourt, which has a population of "about" 6 million people (Radio Maria 2023-05, 5). According to the website of the Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN), an "integrated network for all that concerns that the Catholic Church in Nigeria" and "an initiative of the National Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat Nigeria (CSN), [and] the Communication Office of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)" (NCN n.d.), there is a population of 268,547 Catholics, 86 Nigerian priests, 5 missionary priests, 69 religious sisters, 2 religious brothers, and 43 seminarians in the Port Harcourt Diocese (NCN 2020-12-17).
2.2 Treatment of Christians
The General Secretary stated that "[t]here is no known crisis in Port Harcourt involving Christians who have moved from Northern Nigeria" (General Secretary 2023-09-27). The same source stated that "[a]ll Christians" are treated "similarly" regardless of their ethnicity, while adding further that "people may encounter ethnic sentiments in their daily lives" but that "it can happen to anybody not necessarily Christians from the North" (General Secretary 2023-09-27).
Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Executive Director of LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative, a non-governmental organization that seeks to "uphold human dignity, equity and accountability through Citizens Active participation in sustainable development processes" in Nigeria (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-11), indicated that "all" Christians are treated "equally" and that there is "no discrimination or clashes" based on ethnicity, groups, or class (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source indicated that state authorities give "fair" treatment to Christians who have relocated to Port Harcourt from the North, except if they commit a crime, in which case "appropriate" justice is administered (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The Executive Director added that society treats Christians who relocate to Port Harcourt from northern regions of Nigeria "respectfully" and regards them as "residents" with rights to "basic" social amenities as well as "every other" right provided to citizens in Port Harcourt (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04).
However, the Executive Director also noted that for Christians who move from the North, it is "difficult" to get involved with churches "because the type of Christianity practiced in the North is different" from that in Port Harcourt (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source also added that Christians who migrate from the North can "only receive help" if they are members of the denomination that they are seeking support from, because due to a "denominational mindset," "sometimes" pastors "do not allow" wealthy Christians of their church to extend help such as job support to non-members (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04).
According to a working paper by Rebecca Enobong Roberts and Taibat Lawanson [2], for which 107 respondents were surveyed from four cities in Nigeria, 51 percent of whom were Christians and 12 percent of whom were from Port Harcourt, internally displaced persons (IDPs) find it "more difficult to settle and integrate into society" in Port Harcourt and Lagos (Roberts & Lawanson 2023-05, 2, 12, 13). The same source, noting that "bad sentiments between Christian and Muslim IDPs" are reflected in their "settlement patterns, in which the groups reside in enclaves," quotes a community leader in Port Harcourt, who notes reasons why they find it is "'simpler for Christians and Muslims to coexist'" including that: "'As a Christian … here in Port Harcourt … the locals see IDPs as terrorists, and the Muslims even worse, so not living with Muslims gives us a softer landing with the locals'" (Roberts & Lawanson 2023-05, 44).
2.3 Employment
According to the General Secretary, in view of the "huge" size of the population, jobs are "generally highly competitive" in Nigeria, but are available for "the qualified and the connected" (2023-09-27). The same source added that employment is a matter of "education, qualification and experience instead of religion" and that Christians in the South are "equally seen as better educated in most cases" and are likely acquire "good" jobs (General Secretary 2023-09-27).
In contrast, the Executive Director indicated that Christians in Port Harcourt have access to jobs such as those in security, "menial" jobs, or jobs as "laborers at construction sites" (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source further stated that "more" capital is required to start a business in Port Harcourt than in the North and that Christians who move from the North find it "difficult" to settle down as the vocational jobs that they held previously, such as group farming, carving of baskets, and quarrying, differ from those available in Port Harcourt (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04).
2.4 Education
According to the Executive Director, Christians from the North can "only" access public schools, as private schools are "very expensive" in Port Harcourt (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source added that when a church in the South has established a relationship with one in the North, the former will "absorb" those church members who have moved from the North and "provide educational support in [the] form of scholarships" (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2.5 Housing
The Executive Director indicated that accommodation in Port Harcourt is "far more expensive" than it is in the North and "no" affordable housing is available to Christians who move from the North; these individuals have a "minimal" source of income with which to afford the "high" cost of accommodation (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source added that Christians from the North "do not experience discrimination" in securing accommodation in Port Harcourt and the ability to secure housing is "based on your financial capability"; thus, "[o]nce you have the funds, you can get any form of accommodation" (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04).
Similarly, the General Secretary indicated that "[e]veryone has access to accommodation" and that "[n]o landlord would discriminate based on religion" (General Secretary 2023-09-27).
2.6 Linguistic Barriers
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Consortium Manager of SOS Children's Villages in Nigeria, a non-profit organization which provides youth housing, education, vocational training, medical and food assistance, and family strengthening programs (SOS Children's Villages Nigeria n.d.), noted that "some" Christians who relocate from the North to Port Harcourt face linguistic barriers, "especially" those who are of northern origin as they communicate "better" in their native Hausa/Fulani (Consortium Manager 2023-10-13). The same source added that, in comparison, migrants of Southern origin or those who possess fluency in English or Pidgin English interact "better" with people in Port Harcourt (Consortium Manager 2023-10-13). Corroborating information and additional information on the linguistic barriers could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
2.7 Camps for IDPs
The Executive Director stated that Port Harcourt has "no" camps for internally displaced Christians, which has "adversely affected" Christians who have migrated from the North (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04). The same source further indicated that due to the "very high" cost of accommodation, these Christians seek shelter in IDP camps for Muslims, where they "end up converting to Islam" (LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative 2023-10-04).
In contrast, the General Secretary noted that they had not heard of IDP camps in Port Harcourt and indicated that they had contacted a priest in one of the main Protestant churches in Port Hartcourt who "confirmed" that there are "no" IDP camps in the city (General Secretary 2023-09-27).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Notes
[1] The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a "data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project" that gathers information on "all reported political violence and protest events" around the world, and provides corresponding data and analysis for public use (ACLED n.d.).
[2] Rebecca Enobong Roberts is a PhD candidate at Technische Universitat Berlin whose research focuses on "the intersectionality between displacement, [and] forced migration in the broader context of urbanisation" and who has 11 years of experience in "implementing and managing" development projects in Nigeria and other countries (University of London n.d). Taibat Lawanson is an associate professor of urban planning at the University of Lagos (London School of Economics n.d.).
References
Amnesty International. 2022-02-15. "60,000 Forcibly Evicted in Port Harcourt." [Accessed 2023-09-14]
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). 2023-09-28. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). N.d. "About ACLED." [Accessed 2023-10-16]
Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN). N.d. "Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) At a Glance." [Accessed 2023-10-25]
Consortium Manager, SOS Children's Villages, Lagos, Nigeria. 2023-10-13. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.
Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). 2018-08-20. John Campbell & Asch Harwood. "Boko Haram's Deadly Impact." [Accessed 2023-09-28]
Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). N.d. "About CFR." [Accessed 2023-09-28]
Encyclopædia Britannica. 2023-08-03. "Port Harcourt." [Accessed 2023-09-19]
General Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN). 2023-09-27. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.
Legit. 2023-05-31. Bada Yusuf. "'Rivers State is a Christian State': Wike's Successor Declares." [Accessed 2023-09-28]
Legit. N.d. "About Legit.ng – Nigeria News." [Accessed 2023-09-28]
LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative. 2023-10-11. Facebook. "Call for Expression of Interest..." [Accessed 2023-11-03]
LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative. 2023-10-04. Correspondence from the Executive Director to the Research Directorate.
London School of Economics (LSE). N.d. International Growth Centre (IGC). "Taibat Lawanson." [Accessed 2023-10-16]
Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN). 2020-12-17. "Port-Harcourt Diocese." [Accessed 2023-10-25]
Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 2023-10-25]
Pew Research Center. 2019-03-31. "The Countries with the 10 Largest Christian Populations and the 10 Largest Muslim Populations." [Accessed 2023-09-19]
Pew Research Center. N.d. "About Pew Research Center." [Accessed 2023-10-25]
Radio Maria (RM). 2023-05. Mariathon Magazine 2023. [Accessed 2023-10-03]
Radio Maria (RM). N.d. "The Birth." [Accessed 2023-10-03]
Roberts, Rebecca Enobong & Taibat Lawanson. 2023-05. Understanding IDPs in Nigerian Cities. Researching Internal Displacement. Working Paper No. 36. [Accessed 2023-10-04]
SOS Children's Villages Nigeria. N.d. "Overview SOS Nigeria." [Accessed 2023-10-25]
United Kingdom (UK). 2023-04-12. House of Commons Library. Louisa Brooke-Holland, Philip Loft, & Tim Robinson. Religious Minorities in Nigeria. [Accessed 2023-09-19]
United States (US). 2023-10-03. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "Nigeria." The World Factbook. [Accessed 2023-10-03]
University of London. N.d. School of Advanced Study. "Rebecca Enobong Roberts." [Accessed 2023-10-16]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Association for Catholic Information in Africa; Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt; Catholic News Service of Nigeria; Christian Association of Nigeria; Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa; Christian Help International Foundation; Garnet Care Foundation; Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Ijebu-Ode; lecturer at the faculty of law at a university in Nigeria who has written on legal protection of internally displaced persons during the pandemic in Nigeria; lecturer at the department of business law at the faculty of law at a university in Nigeria who has written on legal protection of internally displaced persons during the pandemic in Nigeria; lecturer of religious and cultural studies at a university in Nigeria; Nigeria – Nigeria Police Force; Nigeria Catholic Network; Nigeria Inter-Religious Council; Open Society Foundations; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Initiative; professor at the department of philosophy at a university in Nigeria, who has written on the responses of Christians to Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria; professor at the department of political and administrative studies at a university in Nigeria, who has written on the responses of Christians to Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria; senior lecturer at the department of jurisprudence and international law at the faculty of law at a university in Nigeria, who has written on legal protection of IDPs during the pandemic in Nigeria; University of Port Harcourt.
Internet sites, including: All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief; Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Austrian Red Cross – ecoi.net; Catholic Institute of West Africa; Catholic News Service of Nigeria; Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria; Center for Inquiry; Christian Association of Nigeria; Christian Social Movement of Nigeria; Christian Solidarity Worldwide; Christ for All Nations; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Port Harcourt; Church Times; Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding; Freedom House; Fund for Peace; The Guardian [Nigeria]; HumAngle Media; Kukah Centre; News Agency of Nigeria; Nigeria Info FM; Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa; Ogoni Liberation Initiative; Open Society Foundations; PhilArchive; Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt City Council; Premium Times; The Punch ; Religious Freedom Institute; ResearchGate; Reuters; Sahara Reporters; Social Science Research Network; UK – Home Office; US – Commission on International Religious Freedom, Department of State; Vanguard; West Africa Journal of Arts and Social Science; World Council of Churches; World Watch Monitor.