11
July 2012
Past Event
A Round Table Discussion on Nigeria'’s Boko Haram with Representatives of the Christian Nigerian Association

A Round Table Discussion on Nigeria'’s Boko Haram with Representatives of the Christian Nigerian Association

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
July 11, 2012
Default Event Image
11
July 2012
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
Nina Shea,

Hudson Senior Fellow and Director of Center for Religious Freedom

Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor,

President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

Reverend Oladimeji  P. Thompson,

Special Adviser to the CAN President on Conflict Resolution and Terrorism Matters

Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom hosted an informal briefing by representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Speakers focused on the political ascendancy of the violent terrorist group Boko Haram, the impact on Nigeria's religious minorities, and the group within its broader geopolitical and historical context. Last month, the U.S. Department of State named three top Boko Haram commanders as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists."

Jama'__atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad (Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad)__, commonly known as "Boko Haram," has had a long history of carrying out violent terrorist attacks in Nigeria. The State Department reports:

"In the last 18 months, Boko Haram or associated militants have killed more than 1,000 people. Boko Haram is credited with the August 26, 2011 attack on the United Nations building in Abuja, that killed at least 23 people and wounded scores more. Boko Haram also claimed responsibility for the December 25, 2011 attack on the Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria, that killed at least 35 and wounded dozens more. Boko Haram's deadliest violence occurred on January 20, 2012 in Kano, Nigeria, with a series of attacks that killed more than 180 people. Boko Haram's victims have been overwhelmingly civilian."

Since its inception a decade ago, Boko Haram has clearly articulated its goals and ambitions to create an Islamist state in Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria has gained critical insights into the structure, hierarchy, and operations of the group. 

Related Events
07
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Understanding China’s Political and Institutional Foundations: A Conversation with Chenggang Xu
Featured Speakers:
Professor Chenggang Xu
Getty Images
07
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Understanding China’s Political and Institutional Foundations: A Conversation with Chenggang Xu

Join Dr. Miles Yu, senior fellow and director of Hudson’s China Center, for a conversation with Professor Xu on why misunderstanding China’s political order may create critical strategic risks for the US amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Professor Chenggang Xu
08
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Relearning Great Power Diplomacy: A Conversation with Wess Mitchell
Featured Speakers:
Wess Mitchell
A detail photo of “A Peace Conference at the Quai d'Orsay” by William Orpen. (Wikimedia Commons)
08
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Relearning Great Power Diplomacy: A Conversation with Wess Mitchell

Join Hudson’s Peter Rough for a discussion with Wess Mitchell on the future of great power diplomacy.

A detail photo of “A Peace Conference at the Quai d'Orsay” by William Orpen. (Wikimedia Commons)
Featured Speakers:
Wess Mitchell
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security
Featured Speakers:
John Maslin
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Moderator:
Getty Images
15
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Vanguard of Manufacturing: Fortifying US National Security

Join Hudson Institute for a conference on the future of America’s industrial base.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
John Maslin
Austin Grey
Hon. Peter J. F. Meijer
Patrick Hunt
Julius Krein
Moderator:
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar
Getty Images
16
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
CCP Committee Chairman John Moolenaar on the State of US-China Relations

Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, will join Hudson Senior Fellow David Feith to discuss how Washington should approach the US-China relationship in an era of rising geopolitical competition.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Congressman John Moolenaar