The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa has scheduled an open hearing for Thursday, November 20, 2025, to review President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The CPC label, if approved by the Senate, would permit the United States to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials implicated in religious persecution and restrict certain bilateral assistance.

It also serves as an indication to the global community that the issue of religious freedom in Nigeria is considered a serious matter by Washington.

The hearing will hold at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, streamed live online, and chaired by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.

Two panels of witnesses are expected, with appearances from top US State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.

An invitation sent to members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs stated, “You are respectfully requested to attend an open hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to be held by the Subcommittee on Africa at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.”

According to the document, the first panel will include Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs, Jonathan Pratt, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Jacob McGee.

The second panel is expected to feature the Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom, Ms Nina Shea; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Ms Oge Onubogu from the Centre for Strategic & International Studies.

The hearing will assess the extent of religious persecution in Nigeria and consider possible policy measures such as sanctions, aid interventions, and cooperative efforts with the Nigerian government to reduce violence.

On October 31, 2025, President Trump named Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” due to alleged violations of religious freedom, a move that reignited debate on Christian-targeted attacks and the possibility of US action.

In justifying the designation, Trump accused Nigerian authorities of allowing widespread persecution of Christians, claiming that thousands had been killed by radical Islamist elements.

He warned that the United States could impose sanctions or even take military action if Nigeria failed to address the situation.

Trump further threatened to stop all forms of American support to Nigeria if the alleged killings continued.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” he said on November 1, 2025.

President Bola Tinubu responded by rejecting the claim, describing it as a distortion of Nigeria’s true religious landscape.

Using his official X account, Tinubu said the statements did not align with Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom.

“‘Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,’” he said.

The renewed CPC designation follows recurring attacks on Christian communities involving extremist groups, kidnappings, and the burning of worship centres.

The matter is also before the US Senate, with Senator Ted Cruz serving as sponsor.

Nigeria had previously been designated a CPC by Trump in 2020 until President Joe Biden removed the country from the list upon assuming office.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who is scheduled to testify before the House Committee, recently raised concerns about Christian-targeted violence within Nigeria.

During an address at the UK Parliament on March 25, 2025, he criticised mass killings by Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen.

As a guest of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, he informed lawmakers that members of his diocese had lost their homes to arson and were displaced into camps.

He stated that communities in Benue State had experienced systematic attacks from extremists and herders, including the destruction of farmland, churches, and the killing of clergy and laypersons.

“The militant Fulani herdsmen bear down on defenseless villagers without consequence.
“They follow orders to conquer, kill, and occupy. They attack even those who have managed to escape into our IDP camps,” he told the UK Parliament.

Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia, speaking to Fox News on Sunday, said investigations into Nigeria’s killings were already underway within several congressional committees.

He stated, “We’ve already started that investigation… we’re working with the State Department and (others) in the White House… We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

Moore said the situation in Nigeria was “horrific,” describing the killings as targeting Christians.

Responding to Tinubu’s position that Trump’s claims did not reflect Nigeria’s reality, Moore disagreed, saying, “Unfortunately, that is completely false. I mean, there are states in Nigeria that have blasphemy laws, people who are facing the death penalty right now for blasphemy against Islam.”

He added that a man who defended himself from an attack by a Fulani militant was now facing the death penalty, which he cited as evidence of persecution.

Moore said deaths among religious groups were “five to one, five to one Christians versus other minority, other religious affiliations in that country,” insisting that Christians were overwhelmingly the victims.

He argued that the US had a responsibility to intervene, describing the country as one that protects the persecuted.

He also explained that the CPC designation allows the American government to use sanctions, withhold development funds, restrict international financing, and consider other measures, including potential military action.

Pope Leo XIV also raised concerns about violence directed at Christians worldwide, including in Nigeria.

His statement on X came days after Trump’s warning of possible US military intervention over alleged Christian genocide.

The Pope said, “‘In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution. I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship.’”

He also prayed for victims in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling for an end to violence.

US Congressman Bill Huizenga, in an interview with Arise TV last week, said Trump was unlikely to authorise military action in Nigeria despite the strong rhetoric.

He said Trump’s comments were likely aimed at drawing attention to the situation rather than signalling an imminent strike.

Huizenga added that Trump generally preferred diplomatic approaches, saying he “would be very selective” before considering military involvement.

He argued that economic sanctions were more effective in weakening extremist financing networks.

He urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity across the country.

In a separate development, President Tinubu sent his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, Dr Abiodun Essiet, to Plateau State to promote peace.

Essiet met Christian leaders, Fulani representatives, and community groups, including a courtesy visit to Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of the Regional Church Council in Barkin Ladi.

According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Essiet also held private meetings with the Irigwe community, the Miyetti Allah association, and youth representatives from Bassa Local Government Area.

Essiet said the President remained committed to inclusive governance and that local peace structures were crucial for unity and long-term stability.

During the visit, a dispute involving the destruction of Agha Farm in Gyel, Jos South, was resolved.

The statement said the MACBAN Chairman of Bassa LGA, Alhaji Isah Yau, paid N500,000 compensation to the farm owner, David Toma, leading to the release of two seized cows after both parties signed a peace agreement.