The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa is set to convene an open hearing on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to review former President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
If upheld by the U.S. Senate, the CPC tag would empower Washington to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials implicated in religious persecution and restrict specific forms of bilateral support. The classification also sends a strong message to the global community that Nigeria’s religious freedom environment remains deeply troubled.
The session, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, will be chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and streamed live for public viewing.
Key Witnesses and Panels
According to an invitation obtained by The PUNCH, the hearing will feature two panels comprising high-ranking U.S. government officials and notable Nigerian religious figures.
The first panel will include:
- Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs
- Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
A second panel will host:
- Nina Shea, Director, Centre for Religious Freedom
- Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria
- Oge Onubogu, Centre for Strategic & International Studies
The congressional review will assess the scale of religiously motivated violence in Nigeria and explore possible U.S. responses — from targeted sanctions to humanitarian interventions and strategic cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
Trump Reinstates CPC Status for Nigeria
On October 31, 2025, Trump announced Nigeria’s reclassification as a Country of Particular Concern, citing what he described as worsening attacks on Christian communities.
According to Trump, Christian populations in Nigeria face continuous assaults from extremist groups and militant factions, leading to thousands of deaths. He warned that the U.S. may adopt severe measures — including halting aid or even resorting to military action — if the Nigerian government fails to control the situation.
“If the killings of Christians continue, the United States will immediately cut off all forms of aid,” Trump stated on November 1, 2025.
He further instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for potential action, saying any military response would be “fast, vicious, and decisive.”
Tinubu Rejects Accusations
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly dismissed Trump’s assertions, describing them as an inaccurate reflection of Nigeria’s religious climate.
In a statement shared via his official X account, Tinubu insisted that Nigeria remains committed to its constitutional principles of religious freedom and mutual tolerance.
“Characterizing Nigeria as a country that encourages religious persecution is unfounded,” Tinubu wrote. “Religious liberty has always been a core part of our national identity, and that will not change.”
Context Behind the Rising Concerns
Nigeria’s return to the CPC list comes amid numerous attacks on Christian communities, including kidnappings, killings, and the destruction of places of worship in states affected by extremist violence.
The redesignation is also tied to a bill before the U.S. Senate, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz, which seeks stronger oversight of Nigeria’s religious freedom record.
Nigeria was first placed on the CPC list in 2020 under Trump but was later removed in 2021 by President Joe Biden.
Bishop Anagbe’s Testimony and Warnings
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who is expected to speak at the upcoming House hearing, recently expressed deep concern over what he described as systematic attacks on Christian communities, particularly in Benue State.
Speaking at the UK Parliament on March 25, 2025, the bishop recounted the destruction of Christian villages, displacement of families, and killings carried out by Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen.
He described a situation where communities have been forced into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, adding that attackers sometimes target even those seeking refuge.
U.S. Lawmakers Respond
In an interview with Fox News, Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) confirmed that multiple congressional committees have begun investigative work.
He described the ongoing violence as “horrific,” expressing determination to uncover the root causes and push for strong U.S. action.
According to Moore, Trump’s remarks about religious freedom violations in Nigeria align with findings from several U.S. agencies and international observers.
Rejecting President Tinubu’s rebuttal, Moore stated, “There are states in Nigeria where blasphemy laws are still enforced, with individuals facing death sentences for alleged offenses. That is not consistent with religious liberty
SOURCE – Punch Newspaper
