Tensions Rise as US Lawmakers Move to Sanction Nigerian Officials Over Religious Persecution
A diplomatic storm is building between Nigeria and the United States as the US Congress debates a bill that could impose sanctions on several Nigerian officials, including governors, judges, and traditional rulers. The proposed legislation accuses them of turning a blind eye—or worse, supporting—acts of religious persecution and violence linked to Nigeria’s Sharia and blasphemy laws.
This follows a renewed decision by former US President Donald Trump to reclassify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for what he described as serious and ongoing violations of religious freedom.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump condemned what he called “the mass killing of Christians” in Nigeria, urging key members of Congress to launch a formal investigation.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed in Nigeria,” he wrote. “Radical Islamists are behind this slaughter, and America cannot sit by while these atrocities continue.”
At the centre of the controversy is the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Ted Cruz. The bill seeks to hold specific Nigerian public officials accountable for promoting or tolerating religious discrimination.
If passed, it would require the US Secretary of State to identify within 90 days a list of Nigerian figures—governors, judges, and religious leaders—who have either enforced or condoned blasphemy laws, or allowed violence justified by religion. Those listed could face visa bans, asset freezes, and other penalties under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights framework.
Northern States Under Scrutiny
The proposed sanctions mainly focus on northern Nigerian states where Sharia-based criminal laws are in force. The system began in 1999 when Zamfara State, under then-Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima, introduced full Sharia law. Soon after, 11 more states—Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe—followed suit.
These states expanded Sharia’s reach beyond family and civil matters into criminal law, creating a dual legal system that runs parallel to the federal one.
In contrast, states such as Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa have largely kept Sharia limited to personal and family issues like marriage and inheritance.
Tensions spiked recently when the Supreme Council for Sharia announced its intention to open offices in Oyo and Ogun States in southern Nigeria. The announcement drew outrage and protests until the council clarified that the offices were meant for dispute resolution among Muslims—not for implementing Sharia courts.
US Senator’s Allegations
While defending the bill before the Senate, Senator Cruz accused Nigerian authorities of institutionalising religious discrimination and failing to protect minorities.
“Religious persecution and violence against Christians and other minorities in Nigeria is widespread,” he said. “Since 2009, more than 52,000 Christians have been killed, 20,000 churches destroyed, and dozens of villages wiped out. Many of these tragedies happened while authorities looked the other way—or participated.”
He argued that the enforcement of Sharia law in northern Nigeria since 2000 has emboldened extremist groups and deepened divisions along religious lines.
The bill also takes aim at blasphemy laws, which exist in most northern states. Global outrage has followed cases in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, and Bauchi where individuals—including musicians and even minors—were sentenced to death for alleged insults against Islam.
If the bill passes, it could mark a turning point in US–Nigeria relations, placing pressure on Nigerian leaders to confront religious violence and review laws that fuel division.
