US Congress Begins Full-Scale Probe into Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria

The United States Congress has launched a full-scale investigation into allegations of widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa will hold an open hearing on Thursday, November 20, to review President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations. If confirmed by the Senate, the designation could allow the US to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials linked to religious persecution and restrict certain forms of bilateral aid.

The hearing, chaired by Representative Chris Smith, will feature two panels of witnesses, including senior US State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders. Panelists include Jonathan Pratt, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jacob McGee, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Catholic Diocese, Nina Shea of the Centre for Religious Freedom, and Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic & International Studies. Lawmakers are expected to examine both the scope of religious persecution in Nigeria and potential US responses, including targeted sanctions, humanitarian aid, and cooperation with Nigerian authorities to prevent further violence.

Trump’s CPC designation, announced on October 31, 2025, cited alleged severe violations of religious freedom, particularly against Christians. The US President claimed that Christianity in Nigeria faces an existential threat, with thousands of Christians reportedly killed by Islamist extremists. Trump warned that the US could halt all aid to Nigeria and even take military action if the government failed to address the issue. President Bola Tinubu dismissed the allegations as a misrepresentation, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and constitutional guarantees.

The designation follows repeated attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, including killings, kidnappings, and destruction of churches. Nigeria was first designated a CPC by Trump in 2020 before being removed by President Joe Biden. Bishop Anagbe, who will testify at the hearing, has previously described mass killings of Christians in Benue State by Islamist extremists and Fulani herdsmen, with victims forced into displacement camps.

US lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore, have expressed concern over the killings, citing a reported five-to-one ratio of Christian to Muslim deaths in affected areas. Moore argued that the US has a role in protecting persecuted communities and that Trump’s designation opens avenues for sanctions, aid restrictions, and other measures, including possible military intervention.

Pope Leo XIV also voiced concern over attacks on Christians globally, including in Nigeria, calling for peace and cooperation among believers. Meanwhile, Congressman Bill Huizenga suggested that Trump’s military threats are unlikely to be executed but that economic sanctions could pressure perpetrators and help curb violence.

In response, President Tinubu has sought to restore peace and inter-communal harmony in Plateau State by dispatching Dr. Abiodun Essiet as a presidential emissary. Essiet met with Christian clerics, Fulani community leaders, and local authorities, mediating conflicts and encouraging dialogue. During her visit, a dispute between a local farmer and herdsmen was resolved with compensation and an agreement to maintain peace.