The United States Congress has proposed a far-reaching bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities, dismantling jihadist terror networks, and limiting Chinese and Russian influence in Nigeria.
The proposal emerged from a joint resolution by the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, shared on X by Congressman Riley Moore.
Titled “Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” the statement praised President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), describing the move as a firm step toward holding perpetrators of religious violence accountable.
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In October 2026, the United States announced Nigeria’s return to the US State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern, citing concerns over religious freedom.
Trump stated on X that Nigeria would be placed on a religious freedom watchlist, alleging that Christians were being persecuted and killed by Muslim extremists.
Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 under Trump, but former President Joe Biden later removed the country from the list after taking office.
Earlier in February, US lawmakers also recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and organisations accused of religious persecution.
Among those named were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
As part of the congressional review, Trump tasked Moore, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, and other committee leaders with investigating what they described as the persecution and killing of Nigerian Christians.
Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart hosted an investigative roundtable and joined a congressional delegation to Nigeria, while Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith convened hearings with officials and civil society representatives.
According to the committees, Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places globally for Christians, citing persistent attacks allegedly carried out by armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups.
Lawmakers claimed that thousands of Christians, including clergy, have been killed, with churches and schools destroyed and widespread kidnappings reported.
The statement also criticised the enforcement of blasphemy laws in parts of northern Nigeria, alleging they are used to suppress dissent and target religious minorities without due process.
While acknowledging Nigeria as a strategic partner of the United States, Congress stressed that Abuja must demonstrate stronger political commitment, including dedicating financial resources to curb violence and protect vulnerable communities.
Central to the recommendations is a proposed US–Nigeria security and economic pact.
Under the plan, Nigeria would co-fund humanitarian assistance particularly for internally displaced persons in the Middle Belt, strengthen early-warning systems to prevent attacks, deploy capable security forces for rapid response, and facilitate the return of displaced farmers to restore agricultural productivity.
Lawmakers also called for expanded security cooperation, including shifting away from Russian military hardware in favour of US defence systems, enhancing counter-terrorism collaboration, and providing technical support for disarmament and reintegration programmes to address illicit weapons.
Additional proposals include reforms in land use and ranching through Nigeria’s Ministry of Livestock, sanctions against individuals linked to religious violence, stricter visa restrictions, and invoking CPC directives to publicly identify perpetrators.
Congress further urged the repeal of Sharia criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws, a review of trade leverage particularly cattle exports allegedly tied to armed groups and closer coordination with partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
The committees described the moment as a rare opportunity to redefine US–Nigeria relations, arguing that Nigeria’s CPC redesignation presents a pivotal chance for long-term strategic and security reforms.
