The U.S. Department of State on Wednesday unveiled new measures aimed at addressing what it described as widespread killings and targeted attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
The announcement indicates that Washington may impose visa bans on individuals and groups implicated in the violence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is “taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and attacks on Christians carried out by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani militias, and other violent groups in Nigeria and elsewhere.”
Under the new policy, implemented through Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, visa restrictions may be applied to anyone who has “directed, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” In certain cases, their immediate family members may also be affected.
Rubio noted that the policy could apply “to Nigeria and any other governments or individuals involved in violations of religious freedom,” underscoring U.S. concerns over escalating attacks on Christian communities.
The announcement came a day after U.S. House Republicans held a briefing on rising religious violence in Nigeria. The session was ordered by President Donald Trump, who on October 31 instructed the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he characterised as large-scale killings of Christians.
The briefing was chaired by House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart, and included lawmakers from key committees as well as religious freedom advocates. Participants included Representatives Robert Aderholt, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Chris Smith, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler, ADF International’s Sean Nelson, and Council on Foreign Relations scholar Dr. Ebenezer Obadare.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s participation in a new U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group established to implement security agreements reached during recent talks in Washington led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The development comes amid heightened U.S. scrutiny following increased reports of terrorism, banditry, and targeted attacks on Christian communities across Nigeria.
On October 31, 2025, President Trump again designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations—an action he first took in 2020 during his previous term, before the designation was reversed under President Joe Biden.
After reinstating Nigeria on the list, Trump stated on November 3 that he would consider possible military action to protect Christian communities in the country.
On November 20, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing to examine the implications of the redesignation, including the potential for sanctions on Nigerian officials deemed complicit in religious persecution.
