A member of the United States Congress has urged former President Donald Trump to officially designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) citing worsening violence and systematic attacks against Christians in several parts of the country.
The lawmaker, whose statement was released in Washington on Friday, accused Nigerian authorities of failing to protect religious minorities, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions where hundreds of Christians have been k!lled in recurring clashes involving bandits and extremist groups.
“What’s happening in Nigeria today is nothing short of a humanitarian and faith-based crisis,” the congressman said. “If we remain silent, history will not forgive us.”
The call comes amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s human rights record, as global watchdogs continue to raise alarm over religious persecution and government inaction.
If accepted, the designation would place Nigeria under U.S. diplomatic and economic scrutiny, potentially affecting foreign aid and defense partnerships between both countries.
This move echoes similar demands made by religious freedom organizations and Christian advocacy groups, who argue that violence against believers has reached crisis levels, with little accountability from local or federal authorities.
As tensions rise, Nigerian officials have yet to issue a formal response to the lawmaker’s appeal but analysts warn that the designation, if approved, could intensify diplomatic pressure on the Tinubu administration.