The United States Congress has stepped up pressure on Nigeria over allegations of religious persecution, calling for the repeal of Sharia-based criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws while proposing a broad bilateral security and economic agreement between the two nations.
The push follows Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by former US President Donald Trump in October 2025. Lawmakers described the move as a renewed commitment to confronting religious violence in Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria had first been placed on the CPC list in 2020 under Trump before being removed by former President Joe Biden in 2021.
In a joint position by the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, members of Congress hailed the redesignation and described it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to redefine US–Nigeria relations around security, accountability and religious freedom.
The recommendations were highlighted by Congressman Riley M. Moore, who said the report followed months of investigations, bipartisan visits to Nigeria, congressional hearings and consultations with religious leaders, internally displaced persons and Nigerian officials.
According to the committees’ findings, Nigeria is “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” citing years of attacks allegedly carried out by armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups. Lawmakers referenced killings of clergy and worshippers, destruction of churches and schools, kidnappings and mass displacement, particularly in the Middle Belt.
Beyond condemning violence, Congress criticised the continued enforcement of Sharia criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws in some northern states, arguing that such statutes suppress dissent and disproportionately affect religious minorities. Lawmakers urged Nigeria to repeal the laws as part of broader reforms tied to deeper cooperation with Washington.
The report also recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of involvement in violence against Christians. Those previously mentioned in related congressional recommendations include former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
At the heart of the proposal is a comprehensive US–Nigeria security pact. Under the framework, Nigeria would co-fund humanitarian programmes for internally displaced persons, deploy stronger security responses to attacks and kidnappings, and remove armed groups from occupied farmlands to enable displaced communities to return home.
Lawmakers also called for a demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration programme to curb illicit weapons, as well as land reforms, ranching initiatives and strengthened recruitment and technical capacity within Nigeria’s security agencies.
On the American side, Congress proposed expanded counter-terrorism cooperation, provision of excess US defence equipment and encouragement for Nigeria to shift from Russian military hardware to US systems. The report further pledged to confront what lawmakers described as hostile foreign exploitation, including alleged Chinese illegal mining activities.
Additional recommendations include stricter oversight of US aid to Nigeria, a Government Accountability Office audit of assistance programmes and a National Intelligence Estimate on sectarian violence, including consideration of designating certain militia groups as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
Congress also urged coordination with international partners such as France, Hungary and the United Kingdom, alongside reforms to the US Foreign Military Sales process to speed up defence cooperation.
Presenting the report at the White House, Rep. Moore said the proposals provide “concrete steps to impose accountability measures, counter radical Islamic terrorism, and work in coordination with the Nigerian government to bring security to all the people of Nigeria.”
While reaffirming Nigeria’s importance as a strategic partner in Africa, US lawmakers stressed that Abuja must demonstrate stronger political will and allocate sufficient resources to decisively curb violence.
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