The United States Congress has ignited a major diplomatic uproar by considering a bill that targets twelve northern governors, senior judges, and traditional rulers for sanctions over alleged complicity in what American lawmakers describe as a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. The controversy has drawn global attention, especially following President Donald Trump’s renewed directive to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to act swiftly against those accused of enforcing or tolerating religious persecution through the country’s Sharia and blasphemy laws.
Trump’s statement on Truth Social set the tone for the tension. In his post, he lamented the ongoing killing of Christians in Nigeria and ordered Congressman Riley Moore, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, and other officials to investigate the situation and report back to him without delay. His remarks came as the US Senate, led by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, debated the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 — a bill that could have sweeping consequences for Nigerian officials and religious authorities accused of allowing, promoting, or ignoring religious violence.
The bill classifies Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious persecution and mandates the US Secretary of State to submit, within 90 days of its passage, a list of Nigerian public officials, governors, judges, and monarchs alleged to have promoted or upheld blasphemy laws or tolerated violence against religious minorities. Once identified, these individuals could face visa bans, asset freezes, and financial sanctions under Executive Order 13818 — the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework.
The development follows the December 2020 decision by the US Department of State to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for what it described as “systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom.” That designation cited widespread Boko Haram attacks, violent clashes between ethnic and religious groups, and alleged failures by the judicial system to protect victims.
At the heart of the debate is the expansion of Sharia law across northern Nigeria. The bill highlights that twelve northern states adopted Sharia-based penal codes after Zamfara pioneered the move under Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima in 1999. These states — Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe — implemented the law’s criminal provisions alongside secular systems. While other states like Kwara, Kogi, and Taraba maintain limited personal-status Sharia, the spread of criminal Sharia laws sparked global concern, especially over their implications for non-Muslims and religious minorities.
Recently, the Sharia Council’s announcement of plans to expand its presence to Oyo and Ogun states ignited controversy in the South. Tension flared between Muslim and Christian groups until the council clarified that it was only establishing arbitration panels, not courts, to mediate disputes among Muslims.
Senator Ted Cruz defended the proposed bill by accusing Nigerian leaders of institutionalising religious discrimination and enabling jihadist violence. He cited reports claiming that over 52,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009, 20,000 churches destroyed, and entire villages wiped out. Cruz argued that both the federal and state governments had failed to protect victims and were, in many cases, complicit in the violence.
The bill emphasises that since the introduction of Sharia in Zamfara, nearly all 19 northern states have adopted some form of blasphemy provision. Global outrage has followed multiple death sentences for alleged blasphemy in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, and Bauchi. Even southern states, such as Oyo and Ogun, are now under scrutiny due to the existence of Sharia panels within their jurisdictions.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded firmly to the accusations. In a policy statement titled “Nigeria’s Constitutional Commitment to Religious Freedom and Rule of Law,” it insisted that Nigeria remains a secular democracy where freedom of religion is fully protected by the constitution. The government emphasised that no national blasphemy law exists and that Sharia laws apply only to Muslims on a voluntary basis. It also explained that state-level Sharia provisions are subject to constitutional review and cannot override federal law.
The statement clarified that non-Muslims are not subject to Sharia law in any northern state and that all Nigerians retain the freedom to practice their faith. It noted that in civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia courts of appeal operate within constitutional limits, while secular appellate courts retain final authority.
Government officials further argued that Nigeria does not persecute Christians, pointing out that churches, Christian schools, and religious organisations operate freely nationwide. They added that many violent incidents described abroad as religious persecution are actually linked to terrorism, organised crime, and resource-based conflicts. The document reaffirmed that Nigeria remains committed to international human rights treaties and that all domestic laws must conform to these obligations.
Despite the government’s defence, rights groups continue to highlight violent incidents tied to blasphemy accusations. The 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel, a student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, shocked the nation. She was lynched by a mob of her fellow students after being accused of blasphemy against Islam. In 2021, a water vendor in Bauchi met a similar fate, while in 2016, 74-year-old trader Bridget Agbahime was beaten to death in Kano for alleged blasphemy. None of these cases led to justice for the victims.
President Trump cited such incidents as proof that religious persecution persists in Nigeria. He declared that the United States would take action, including the possibility of military intervention, if the Nigerian government failed to stop the killing of Christians. He warned that all aid and support to Nigeria could be halted and that the US military might intervene “guns blazing” to destroy the perpetrators.
Following Trump’s comments, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed his readiness for action. In a post on X, he stated that the Department of War was preparing for possible intervention if Nigeria failed to protect Christians from religious violence.
Under Section 3 of the proposed legislation, the US Secretary of State would formally designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and identify Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern. These designations are based on the International Religious Freedom Act and the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, both of which mandate US responses to nations engaged in systematic religious persecution.
At the same time, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has moved quickly to manage the diplomatic fallout. Presidential aide Daniel Bwala announced that Tinubu would meet with Trump in the coming days to clarify the situation and strengthen counterterrorism cooperation. Bwala said the meeting would also focus on correcting misconceptions that Nigerian terrorists target only Christians.
Tinubu’s media adviser, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the president anticipated these tensions and had already directed Nigeria’s service chiefs to adopt more decisive counterterrorism measures. Tinubu told them that Nigerians expect results, not excuses, and stressed that the government must confront emerging security threats head-on.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all faith communities and to working with the United States and other partners to combat terrorism. Tinubu said Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, and his government would never tolerate any form of persecution.
Former Nigerian diplomats, however, fear that the US move could damage bilateral relations. Mohammed Mabdul, a retired ambassador, warned that the proposed sanctions would likely reduce American aid and hinder Nigeria’s ability to acquire advanced military equipment for counterterrorism operations. He also noted that Nigeria’s engagement with the US had waned under Tinubu, with the administration focusing more on Europe and the Middle East.
Ogbole Amedu-Ode, another retired envoy, said the development should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders to take the protection of lives and property more seriously. He warned that the designation could reduce foreign investment from Western nations and lead to diplomatic isolation.
Ambassador Godknows Igali urged diplomacy and restraint, advising Nigeria to seek mediation through friendly nations that maintain ties with both countries. He reminded Nigerians that powerful countries often use their influence to push their own interests and warned against reacting emotionally to US actions.
Foreign policy analyst Charles Onunaiju described the US move as part of a long-standing pattern of Washington’s interference in other countries’ affairs. He said the designation could scare investors and hurt Nigeria’s economy but advised the government to focus on internal reforms and transparency instead of trading threats.
Former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also weighed in, calling for a constructive approach. He urged the United States to provide Nigeria with advanced technology to fight terrorism instead of issuing threats. Kwankwaso said the insecurity crisis affects all Nigerians, regardless of religion, and called for unity over division. He encouraged Abuja to send seasoned diplomats to Washington to clarify Nigeria’s position and strengthen bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria condemned Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria, describing it as an “abomination.” The Christian Association of Nigeria, however, blamed the Nigerian government for failing to act decisively against religious killings. Northern CAN Chairman, Reverend John Hayab, said Trump’s warning was a wake-up call for the government to address religious violence. He said Christian communities in northern Nigeria have long suffered persecution and neglect and that the government must now show courage and stop those who hide under religion to harm others.
Hayab said the solution lies in justice and unity, not excuses. “Trump is simply saying there are killings in Nigeria, which is true. Stop it, and that ends it,” he stated. He urged leaders to seize the moment to correct systemic wrongs and end impunity for religious violence.
On the other hand, the Muslim Rights Concern appealed to Nigerians to interpret Trump’s statements as a warning aimed at terrorists, not Muslims or the broader Nigerian public. The group urged calm and reminded citizens that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from the same wave of terrorism ravaging communities across the country.
As tensions rise between Washington and Abuja, many Nigerians fear that this diplomatic standoff could deepen divisions along religious lines. Yet, others see it as an opportunity for Nigeria to reaffirm its constitutional values, strengthen its human rights record, and rebuild its image before the world.
For now, both governments appear set on maintaining dialogue, but the looming question remains whether diplomacy will prevail over confrontation — or whether Nigeria’s internal conflicts will once again become an arena for global power struggles.