US Congress Proposes Fresh Sanctions, Conditions on Nigeria Over Christian Persecution

The House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the United States Congress have recommended a raft of measures targeting Nigeria over what they termed the “persecution of Christians” in the country.

In a report formally submitted to the White House on Monday, the lawmakers outlined several conditions and sanctions aimed at compelling the Nigerian government to address insecurity and protect religious minorities.

The development follows the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by United States President Donald Trump.

According to the report released by committee chairman Riley Moore, the recommendations include calls for Nigeria to cut military ties with Russia and instead procure defence equipment from the United States through sales and financing arrangements.

The lawmakers also proposed a comprehensive bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja that would focus on protecting Christian communities, eliminating jihadist networks, and countering the influence of China and Russia in Nigeria.

One of the more far-reaching suggestions involves blocking the export of beef and other cattle-related products from Nigeria to countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal. According to the report, this measure is intended to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm following repeated reports of attacks on Christian communities.

The congressional committees further recommended the continued application of visa restrictions on individuals found to be involved in violence against Christians or violations of religious freedom.

Other key proposals include demands that Nigeria repeal sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws, remove Fulani militias from confiscated farmland, and enable the voluntary return of displaced communities, particularly in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt region.

The report also urged enhanced security cooperation between both countries, improved counter-terrorism efforts to rid the region of foreign terrorist organisations, and stronger measures to disrupt terrorist financing networks.

Additionally, the lawmakers called for a National Intelligence Estimate on Nigeria’s sectarian and communal violence, and recommended reviewing the possibility of designating Fulani militia groups with links to terror organisations as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.

The US also proposed increased oversight of aid to Nigeria, including requiring proof of progress before obligating additional funds, and called for greater investment by the US Development Finance Corporation in Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt.

Nigeria was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern by the Trump administration in 2020 under his first term in office, citing issues related to religious freedom.