Lawmakers in United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa are holding a public hearing in Washington, D.C., to examine Nigeria’s security and human rights situation, especially in relation to religious freedom.
Gatekeepers News reports that the session, scheduled for November 20, 2025, comes after former President Donald Trump reinstated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under U.S. law, citing alleged severe violations of religious freedom, particularly against Christians.
During the hearing, committee members will question senior U.S. State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders. Key issues under scrutiny include attacks by extremist groups (such as Boko Haram and ISWAP), failures by security agencies to protect citizens, and accusations of religious discrimination.
Advocates from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have repeatedly called for Nigeria’s CPC designation, citing “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” religious freedom violations. Meanwhile, critics in Nigeria argue that the designation is based on flawed data and mischaracterizes a complex security crisis.
Some U.S. lawmakers are also pushing for stronger measures, including possible sanctions or restrictions on aid to Nigeria, if the Nigerian government does not take more decisive action.
Nigeria’s government, however, has rejected the CPC designation, describing parts of the U.S. claims as inaccurate and politically motivated.
