A coalition of international religious freedom organisations has commended US President Donald J. Trump for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing “grave violations of religious freedom” and escalating attacks on Christian communities across the country.
In a joint letter dated 13 November 2025, the CPAC Foundation and dozens of faith-based and human rights groups praised the President’s “strong and decisive action” following years of appeals from advocates and survivors of religious persecution.
The coalition highlighted that Nigeria has recorded more Christian deaths from targeted violence than all other countries combined. The groups blamed extremist organisations—including Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed Fulani militants in the Middle Belt—for the attacks, while criticising the Nigerian government for failing to prosecute perpetrators.
The letter read in part: “We write to thank you for your strong and decisive action to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for the grave violations of religious freedom occurring in the country, particularly the targeting of Christians in horrifying numbers. You saw the evidence, you listened to the cries of the persecuted, and you acted.”
It added: “Christians are targeted and murdered for their faith by the thousands in Nigeria, more than in all other countries combined. While the Nigerian government has failed to bring these groups to justice, millions have been forced to flee their homes; many young girls have been kidnapped, trafficked, and compelled to convert to Islam; and many suffer under Nigeria’s draconian blasphemy laws, which mandate the death penalty and inspire mob violence.”
The coalition urged the US government to maintain Nigeria’s CPC status until the Nigerian authorities demonstrate verifiable progress in four areas:
- Enhanced security for Christian populations, particularly in the Middle Belt, with increased deployment of trained security forces, rapid-response mechanisms, and public acknowledgement of past failures.
- Ending impunity for perpetrators of attacks against Christians, ensuring swift and full prosecution.
- Facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons and assisting in the rebuilding and security of their communities.
- Repealing Sharia blasphemy laws, releasing those imprisoned for blasphemy-related offenses, and prosecuting mob attacks.
The letter was endorsed by an extensive coalition of religious leaders, human rights advocates, legal scholars, and heads of international organisations, including the International Committee on Nigeria, Jubilee Campaign USA, the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, Genocide Watch, and the Faith & Freedom Coalition, among others. Copies were also sent to US Vice President J.D. Vance, Senator Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and Representative Mike Waltz.
The coalition emphasised that only sustained, verifiable reforms—not political assurances—should determine any reconsideration of Nigeria’s CPC designation.
