The House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the United States Congress have put forward a range of recommendations aimed at addressing what they describe as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The proposals were contained in a report formally submitted to the White House following President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
According to the report released by committee chairman Riley Moore, lawmakers outlined several policy, diplomatic, and security measures intended to address the situation and promote religious freedom and stability.
Key Recommendations
1. Bilateral Security and Humanitarian Agreement
The committees called for a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Nigerian government focused on:
- Protecting vulnerable Christian communities.
- Combating jihadist activity.
- Enhancing economic cooperation.
- Countering geopolitical rivals such as China and Russia.
The proposed agreement would include:
- Co-funded humanitarian assistance prioritising internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt.
- Deployment of early-warning systems and rapid-response security forces.
- Removal of armed groups from confiscated farmland and support for the voluntary return of displaced communities.
- Expanded security cooperation, including a shift from Russian military equipment to U.S. defence systems through sales and financing arrangements.
2. Addressing Armed Militia Violence
The report recommended technical support to help Nigeria:
- Implement demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) programmes.
- Strengthen ranching initiatives and land reform efforts.
- Improve recruitment and operational capabilities of security agencies to respond effectively to violent attacks.
3. Counter-Terrorism and Security Cooperation
Lawmakers proposed:
- Enhanced counter-terrorism collaboration.
- Provision of defence equipment.
- Consideration of classifying certain militia groups as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
- Development of a National Intelligence Estimate on sectarian and communal violence in Nigeria.
4. Sanctions and Accountability
The committees urged:
- Public enforcement of CPC-related directives.
- Sanctions against individuals and groups involved in violence or religious persecution.
- Continued visa restrictions for those implicated.
- Stronger oversight of U.S. aid, including audits by the Government Accountability Office.
5. Economic and Trade Measures
One notable proposal includes restrictions on beef and cattle product exports as leverage to encourage disarmament by armed herdsmen. The report also calls for measures to counter alleged illegal mining activities and related financing of violence.
6. Legal and Governance Reforms
The recommendations further advocate:
- Strengthening religious freedom protections.
- Legal and policing reforms.
- Anti-money laundering measures.
- Efforts to disrupt terrorist financing.
- Repeal of Sharia-based criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws.
7. Diplomatic and Institutional Strengthening
Additional proposals include:
- Expanding U.S. diplomatic staffing in Nigeria.
- Streamlining the Foreign Military Sales process to accelerate defence procurement.
- Increasing investments through the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, particularly in the Middle Belt.
- Coordinating with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom on security and humanitarian issues.
Context
The report follows renewed U.S. scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious freedom record under the CPC designation.
While supporters of the measures argue they are necessary to protect vulnerable communities and enhance accountability, the proposals—particularly trade restrictions and potential sanctions—could carry significant diplomatic and economic implications.
What you should know
U.S. congressional committees have recommended a mix of diplomatic, economic, and security measures aimed at addressing alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
The proposals include sanctions, visa restrictions, expanded security cooperation, and potential trade leverage, all framed within Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern.
