The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs have formally transmitted a comprehensive report to the White House detailing findings and policy recommendations on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The report, submitted on Monday, outlines proposed steps to address religious violence, enhance accountability, and deepen security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
Congressman Riley Moore disclosed the submission in a post on X, stating that the document sets out “concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region.”
The congressional probe followed President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and his directive instructing Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead a detailed investigation into the situation.
According to Moore, the report is the result of months of inquiries, including hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, a roundtable discussion, and two bipartisan fact-finding visits to Nigeria.
During one visit, members of the delegation toured Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State, met with victims of terrorism, and held discussions with senior Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore said the investigation provided lawmakers with deeper insight into Nigeria’s security landscape and the challenges confronting Christian communities.
Among its key recommendations, the report calls for a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement focused on protecting vulnerable Christian populations and dismantling jihadist networks. It also proposes withholding certain US funds until the Nigerian government demonstrates measurable progress in curbing violence.
Additional measures outlined in the document include imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and groups allegedly linked to religious persecution, offering technical support to address violence attributed to armed Fulani militias, advocating the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, and coordinating efforts with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
Moore urged Nigerian authorities to view the recommendations as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, describing closer cooperation as mutually beneficial. He also expressed appreciation to House leaders, including Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Congressman Chris Smith, for their contributions to the report’s completion.