The United States on Monday, November 3, 2025, updated Nigeria’s designation as “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. This was announced by President Donald Trump as a remedy against severe violations of religious freedom and persecution against Christians in that West African nation. The decision reverses Biden’s 2021 removal and reinstates Nigeria on the blacklist of nations that conduct or tolerate systematic, ongoing, and egregious abuses in religious freedom.
Context of Designation
For this, Nigeria relied on the recommendation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom since 2009. During his first term, Trump designated Nigeria as such in 2020, citing sweeping violence against religious communities. Criticism from advocates citing reports of ongoing atrocities followed a removal of the label in 2021. The new update comes on the heels of Trump’s announcement on Truth Social, where he highlighted the massive slaughter of Christians by Islamic terrorists on October 31. All that remains to be done now until the sanctions and diplomatic pressures might be brought against a specific country were on Monday formalized in the State Department’s announcement.
Citing Bases for Renewed Designation
The Nigerian government tolerated violent attacks on religious communities and had blasphemy laws enforced in 12 states in the north, disproportionally affecting Christians and other minorities. Entire communities were also systematically slaughtered by the Islamist group Boko Haram, in a manner that coincidentally heightened tensions on ethnic and religious lines within a diverse resource context. This designation reflects a failing resolve not only to protect citizens but also to bring to justice those who perpetrate violence as it escalates in the northern and central regions. USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler remarked upon the action as allowing for the formulation of U.S. plans that count accountability in its scheme and protect believers.
Facets of Persecution toward Christians
Christians face very existential threats in Nigeria, the most dangerous place to be a follower of that faith. Some incidents include the June massacre in Yelwata in Benue State, where gun-toting hooligans slaughtered over 200 people at a Catholic mission. It was not surprising that at least 40 were also murdered in April in a Christian farming village in Zike. Pastor John Joseph Hayab described systematic killings happening at the northern states, burying most people with their dead in mass graves. While Muslims are also victims of Islamist violence, such as the August mosque attack in Katsina that left 50 dead, experts believe that this scenario usually becomes more possible for some areas of Christians being targeted more than Muslims.
U.S. Government Response
Trump instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action against Islamist terrorists in Nigeria. He threatened to suspend all U.S. aid if the Nigerian government failed to rescue the victims of the killing and warned of swift and vicious acts of intervention. Under CPC, officials are also negotiating action plans focusing on release and incentivizing reforms. Rep. Riley Moore, for instance, has applauded the state as a good step toward accountability.
