The lawmakers behind the bill—Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga—have called for periodic assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations. If passed, the legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress on Nigeria’s efforts to protect vulnerable communities and hold perpetrators accountable. Additionally, the bill would push for targeted sanctions, expanded humanitarian aid, and security cooperation frameworks to address religious violence.
The sponsors of the bill cited alarming statistics, including estimates that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria between 2009 and 2025, with more than 19,000 churches destroyed. They also referenced specific incidents, such as the Christmas Eve massacres of 2023 and 2024, as well as attacks during Holy Week and Easter in 2024 and 2025, which reportedly left over 9,500 people dead—mostly Christians—and displaced more than half a million others. According to Open Doors’ 2026 Watch List, Nigeria accounted for 72% of global Christian killings, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The lawmakers highlighted cases of individuals like Rhoda Jatau and Deborah Yakubu, who faced mob violence, imprisonment, or death over accusations of blasphemy, while those responsible often went unpunished. They praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), arguing that the Nigerian government has consistently failed to prevent or adequately respond to religiously motivated violence. The bill’s supporters contend that Nigeria’s tolerance of extremist actions has contributed to a climate of impunity.
One of the key provisions of the proposed legislation is the potential designation of certain Fulani-ethnic militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill also calls on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions—including visa bans and asset freezes—on individuals and entities responsible for severe religious freedom abuses. Among those named in the bill are Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The bill further proposes U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance, partially supported by the Nigerian government, to be distributed through trusted civil society and faith-based organizations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. It also encourages collaboration with international allies, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, to promote religious freedom and peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria.
The lawmakers emphasized that the future of U.S.-Nigeria relations hinges on the Nigerian government’s response to these allegations. They noted that Nigeria has the potential to play a stabilizing role in the Sahel region and strengthen its ties with Washington if it takes decisive action to combat religious persecution and protect vulnerable communities. Failure to do so, they warned, could result in further diplomatic and economic consequences.
The introduction of this bill reflects growing international concern over religious violence in Nigeria and signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward stricter accountability measures. As the legislation moves through Congress, its impact on Nigeria’s domestic policies and its relationship with the United States remains to be seen. However, the proposed sanctions and humanitarian provisions underscore the urgency of addressing religious persecution and ensuring justice for victims.
