Bill Maher says Nigeria Christian killings ignored by media because 'the Jews aren’t involved'

On Friday's episode of Real Time, Bill Maher said the killings of Christians in Nigeria by Islamist groups are being ignored because "the Jews aren’t involved," a remark that drew swift attention from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., noted during the panel that the media has failed to cover the crisis and thanked Maher for raising the issue.

He argued that the tragedy has not received the attention it deserves, asking, "Where are the kids protesting this?" and telling viewers, 'If you don't know what's going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck.'

Open Doors, the U.K. division of the Christian charity, told Fox News Digital that the crisis facing large areas of sub-Saharan Africa is hard to overstate and potentially existential for the future peace and stability of several nations in the region, not least Nigeria. "Around 150,000 people have been killed in jihadist violence over the last 10 years. Over 16 million Christians have been driven from their homes and their land across the region."

Separately, the White House said it is working closely with the State Department to identify ways to stop the killings and support stability in the region, underscoring the administration's emphasis on religious freedom and regional security amid broader conflicts in West Africa.

Nigeria is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Open Doors research shows that more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined. The violence has been attributed to Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and affiliated networks, which have carried out systemic campaigns against churches, clerics and congregants, particularly in the northeast and central regions.

This framing comes as global attention to Nigeria's Christian persecution has persisted since the early 2010s, with humanitarian and human-rights organizations documenting the toll in both deaths and displacement. Open Doors has long warned that the violence threatens not only individual communities but the stability of the broader region, complicating efforts to address poverty, education, and governance in affected areas.

The Fox News article cites data and statements from faith-based advocates and government officials to illustrate the scale of the crisis, contrasting Maher's remarks on media coverage with information from advocacy groups about persecution in sub-Saharan Africa. The report notes that Nigeria's Christians have faced a combination of violent attacks, forced displacements and church burnings that have reshaped the religious landscape in parts of the country.

Veteran correspondent Paul Tilsley contributed to this report.