The United States Designates Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern
Following its designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, the United States has indicated it will work with the Federal Government to take decisive actions aimed at arresting perpetrators of religious violence, protecting Christians, and rescuing those held hostage. This move comes after the Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Vicky Hartzler, recommended that President Donald Trump blacklist Nigeria for violating religious freedom. Hartzler welcomed the US leader’s decision, commending him for addressing what she described as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
However, China expressed strong support for Nigeria and criticized what it called foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs. Trump had announced Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern on his Truth Social platform, alleging that Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat” and claiming that thousands of Christians have been killed by radical Islamists. He warned that the United States could take decisive measures—including possible military intervention—if the Bola Tinubu administration failed to act.
The Federal Government rejected the US claim, describing it as inconsistent with facts, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating violent extremism, protecting citizens, and promoting religious freedom and inclusiveness. As part of its response to Nigeria’s alleged violations, the United States Congress is considering a bill that would impose severe sanctions on state governors, public officials, and non-state actors involved in enforcing the Sharia Penal Code. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, has passed second reading and been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for further consideration.
Legislative Measures and International Reactions
The draft legislation, S. 2747, titled ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,’ directs the US Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, impose specific sanctions, and take other related measures. It also targets terrorist groups and individuals implementing or supporting Islamic laws in the country. Under the draft law, penalties would extend to judges, magistrates, prison officials, and other judicial or law enforcement officers found complicit in terrorism, corruption, or the enforcement of blasphemy laws. It specifically includes anyone responsible for prosecuting, convicting, imprisoning, or otherwise depriving individuals of their liberty on charges of blasphemy.
Reacting to the executive action, the USCIRF chair, Vicky Hartzler, stated, “USCIRF applauds President Trump for speaking out on the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria and making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern.” She added, “The US Government can now develop a tough plan with Nigeria to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account, people of faith are protected, and those held hostage are rescued.”
The USCIRF vice chair, Asif Mahmood, also told The PUNCH that the commission would ensure the Trump administration implements a series of executive actions against Nigeria, which it described as a serial violator of religious freedom since 2009. During Trump’s first administration, the US State Department had placed Nigeria on its Special Watch List in 2019 and designated it as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020, citing recurring violent attacks against religious communities.
Regional and International Responses
In addition to the US actions, the People’s Republic of China strongly criticized the US action against Nigeria, describing it as a flagrant interference in the country’s internal affairs. At a press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China stood firmly with Nigeria in pursuing its own development path and opposed the use of religion or human rights as tools for political pressure.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu was taking concrete steps to ensure the safety of lives and property across the country. He noted that the President had called for calm, assuring Nigerians that his administration remains focused on strengthening national security and promoting unity amid growing international scrutiny.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dismissed claims that the recent surge in terrorist attacks across the region, including Nigeria, amounts to genocide. In a statement, ECOWAS urged the United Nations and other international partners to continue supporting member states in their efforts to counter violent extremism. The European Union also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious freedom and promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
Concerns Over Foreign Interests and Internal Security
A former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), alleged that the United States might be seeking to establish a military base in Nigeria under the pretext of protecting Christians from persecution. Dambazau questioned the motive, recalling that despite hosting two US military bases for over a decade, Niger Republic still suffers severe insecurity.
Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum described the development as a “wake-up call” for the Federal Government to urgently tackle insecurity and the persistent killings across the country. They urged the government to disarm and prosecute armed militias, killer herdsmen, and terrorists, and to restore “occupied lands to their rightful owners” across several affected states.
In a related reaction, the Yoruba Ronu Group criticized Trump’s remarks accusing Nigeria of “killing Christians,” calling them “false and dangerously provocative.” The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria also criticized the Federal Government for failing to appoint ambassadors amid the crisis, describing the lapse as “unhealthy and unthinkable.”