The United States Congress has urged the White House to negotiate a sweeping security agreement with Nigeria aimed at curbing terrorist violence, safeguarding Christian communities and countering Chinese and Russian influence in the West African nation.
The call was contained in a joint position by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made public on Tuesday by Congressman Riley Moore.
In the statement titled “Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” lawmakers applauded President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over violations of religious freedom.
“The United States Congress commends President Trump for his decisive action to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to hold perpetrators of violence to account and compel the Government of Nigeria to protect vulnerable communities and end religious persecution,” the committees stated.
Nigeria Back on US Watchlist
In October 2025, Washington formally returned Nigeria to the US Department of State’s list of Countries of Particular Concern. The country was first placed on the list in 2020 under Trump but was removed months later during the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Announcing the move at the time, Trump said Nigeria would be placed on a religious freedom watchlist, alleging that Christians were facing sustained violence and discrimination.
Earlier in February, Congress recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of infringing on religious freedom in Nigeria. Those mentioned include former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Hearings, Delegation, Findings
According to the statement, Trump directed Rep. Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to investigate what lawmakers described as the “persecution and slaughter of Nigerian Christians.”
Appropriations Vice Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart convened an investigative roundtable and led a congressional delegation to Nigeria, while House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith held hearings to gather testimonies from officials and civil society groups.
In their findings, lawmakers declared that “after decades of persecution, Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”
They alleged that Christian communities have faced repeated attacks from armed groups, including Fulani militias and extremist organisations, resulting in “the killing of tens of thousands of Christians, including pastors and priests, the destruction of churches and schools, as well as kidnappings.”
The committees also criticised the enforcement of blasphemy laws in parts of northern Nigeria, saying such laws are “used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process.”
Despite describing Nigeria as a key US partner in Africa, Congress insisted that Abuja must demonstrate greater political will in addressing insecurity.
“Although the Government of Nigeria is a key partner for the United States, such a government must demonstrate the political will, including by allocating its own financial resources, to immediately reduce and then eliminate the violence,” the statement read.
Lawmakers added that both countries should use the moment to forge a new strategic partnership focused on security cooperation, accountability for perpetrators and stronger bilateral ties.
“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America and Nigeria safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the committees said.
