Naming of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is an Important Step to Advance Religious Freedom

Naming of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is an Important Step to Advance Religious Freedom

Washington, DC - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes President Trump's making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). USCIRF has recommended Nigeria be so designated since 2009 because of the government's engaging and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations.

"USCIRF applauds President Trump for speaking out on the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria and making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern," said USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler. "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."

During the first Trump Administration, the State Department designated Nigeria as a Special Watch List Country in 2019 and as a CPC country in 2020. Violent attacks against religious communities in Nigeria have become tragically commonplace. In June, gunmen killed at least 200 people, including internally displaced persons housed in a Benue State Catholic mission. In August, militants killed at least 27 in Katsina State during a mosque attack during early morning prayers. These and other violent incidents targeting religious communities are escalating tensions and threatening Nigerians' ability to freely express their religion or belief.

"In addition to the tragic violence at the hands of nonstate actors, the United States must also hold the Nigerian government accountable for allowing the enforcement of blasphemy laws in 12 states." said USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood. "Enforcing these laws and tolerating violence targeting Christians, Muslims, and other communities justify the CPC designation, now the administration use this opportunity to impose Presidential Actions under the International Religious Freedom Act to incentivize needed change in the country."

In May 2025, USCIRF held a hearing on Governance in Nigeria: A Foundation for Securing Freedom of Religion or Belief. In July 2025, USCIRF published a country update on religious freedom concerns in Nigeria.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].