By Our Correspondent
The United States Congress has introduced new legislation accusing Nigeria of failing to protect religious minorities, sparking a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz, seeks to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged violations of religious freedom. It also proposes sanctions against Nigerian officials said to be linked to attacks on Christians and other religious groups. A similar bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Supporters of the bill claim that Nigeria is the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, citing years of killings, kidnappings, and church attacks by Islamist militants and armed groups. The Nigerian government has rejected these claims, saying the violence is driven by terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts that affect both Christians and Muslims.
Tensions rose further after former US President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid to Nigeria and consider military action if the government fails to protect Christians. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, responded that there is no state-sponsored persecution in the country and called Trump’s comments inflammatory.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has also condemned the US bill, describing it as unfair and based on false information. Lawmakers urged the government to engage diplomatically with Washington to defend Nigeria’s image.
Independent reports, including from the Associated Press, indicate that while Christians have been frequent targets of extremist attacks, the violence affects all communities and does not meet the legal definition of genocide.
Analysts warn that if the proposed US law is passed, it could strain relations between both countries, impact military cooperation, and reduce development aid. The issue highlights growing tension between US human rights advocacy and Nigeria’s insistence on national sovereignty.
