The United States Congress has introduced a new bill seeking to hold Nigerian officials accountable for alleged religious persecution and violence in the country.
Titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”, the proposed law filed as H.R. 5808 was introduced on October 21, 2025, by Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana’s 3rd District.
The bill aims to increase U.S. scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record, particularly regarding religious freedom violations and alleged genocidal attacks on Christian and Muslim communities.
According to documents from the U.S. Congress website reviewed on Thursday, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
Sanctions and Accountability
Section 2(a) of the bill directs the U.S. President to impose sanctions under Executive Order 13818, which targets individuals involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption.
Within 90 days of enactment, the U.S. Secretary of State must submit a report listing Nigerian officials, including federal and state governors, who have promoted or tolerated:
The enforcement of blasphemy laws through advocacy or legislation, or
Religious violence by non-state actors such as Boko Haram or ISIS-West Africa.
The report will also name judges, magistrates, and law enforcement officers who enforced such laws through prosecutions or imprisonment.
The reporting period will cover 10 years before the law’s enactment, ensuring long-term accountability.
Nigeria Re-Designated as a Country of Concern
The bill also calls for the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) — a status reserved for nations accused of systematic religious persecution.
It further identifies Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and the Frank R. Wolf Act of 2016.
Supporters of the bill argue that the measure is a response to growing reports of mass killings, church burnings, and targeted assaults on religious minorities across northern and central Nigeria.
The timing of the bill follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks, in which he threatened to take military action against Nigeria over what he called a “Christian genocide.”
Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Analysts say the new legislation could strain relations between Abuja and Washington, as Nigeria’s government continues to deny claims of religious persecution.
While the Nigerian government insists that the violence is driven by banditry and terrorism, U.S. lawmakers maintain that religious bias plays a major role.
If passed, the law would empower the U.S. administration to freeze assets and restrict visas for Nigerian officials found complicit in religiously motivated abuses.
The bill is currently under review and awaits debate and markup before it can proceed to the House floor for a full vote.