The United States has imposed fresh visa restrictions on several Nigerians accused of fueling or supporting religious persecution. The move marks one of Washington’s strongest actions yet on Nigeria’s worsening religious-based violence.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, announced the decision in a post on X. He said the sanctions target anyone who “knowingly directs, authorizes, funds, supports, or carries out violations of religious freedom.” He stressed that the policy applies to both individuals and government actors linked to religious oppression in Nigeria and other countries.
Rubio explained that the decision followed rising “atrocities and violence against Christians” across Nigeria. He said the US would continue taking decisive steps to protect victims of discrimination and hold perpetrators accountable.
The visa ban announcement came only one day after US lawmakers held a high-level roundtable in Washington. The meeting brought together foreign policy experts and religious freedom advocates to examine the escalating violence and the alleged targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The roundtable is part of an ongoing investigation ordered by President Donald Trump. Lawmakers said the inquiry aims to evaluate reports of killings, land-grabbing, forced displacement, and attacks linked to extremist elements in several northern and Middle Belt states.
Last month, Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, submitted a resolution pushing for strict penalties. His proposal includes visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and organisations responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.
Smith named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as groups of concern. He also urged the US government to classify Fulani ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau as “Entities of Particular Concern” under the US International Religious Freedom Act.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Smith accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to the crisis. He claimed that officials have failed to address what he called an ongoing pattern of religiously motivated attacks.
However, MACBAN swiftly rejected Smith’s claims. The association insisted that the resolution wrongly conflated criminal gangs with legitimate pastoralists who also face violence. MACBAN urged US lawmakers to withdraw the recommendation and conduct a more balanced review.
Meanwhile, human rights groups in Nigeria say the US move could pressure authorities to confront long-standing security failures. But others argue the policy may inflame tensions if not applied carefully.
The Nigerian government has not yet issued an official response.
