US Congress Divided in Nigeria CPC Redesignation Debate
A heated debate unfolded in Washington on Thursday as the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held an open hearing on President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged genocide against Christians.
The hearing held in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building featured sharp disagreements among lawmakers, religious leaders, State Department officials, and witnesses on whether Nigeria is facing religious persecution or a broader security collapse
Trump’s Warning Sparks Tension
The session followed President Trump’s warning that the United States could “go in guns-a-blazing” to stop what he described as atrocities committed against Christian communities in Nigeria.
Lawmakers condemned or endorsed the designation along sharply drawn lines, with some describing Nigeria as the world’s most dangerous place to be a Christian. In contrast, others warned against oversimplifying a conflict driven by multiple actors, motives, and structural weaknesses.
State Department Raises Alarm Over Extremism in Nigeria CPC Redesignation Debate
Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, led the first panel.
Pratt told lawmakers the United States is increasingly concerned that extremist violence once confined to the North-East is spreading into Nigeria’s Middle Belt. He warned that Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS-Sahel affiliates, Ansaru, and bandit militias are now systematically attacking Christian communities.
He acknowledged Nigerian forces were battling these groups but said their efforts were insufficient.
“The administration’s approach intends to raise the protection of Christians to the top of Nigeria’s priorities,” Pratt said, noting that Washington expects concrete actions following the CPC designation.
He also confirmed that the US is working on a comprehensive plan involving the State Department, Treasury, and the Department of Defense to help Nigeria strengthen its security and promote religious freedom.
Advocates Testify to Worsening Violence
The second panel included Nina Shea of the Center for Religious Freedom, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese, and Oge Onubogu of the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
Committee chairman Chris Smith opened the hearing with stark statistics—claiming that 89% of Christians killed worldwide die in Nigeria, and that over 52,000 Nigerian Christians have been murdered since 2009.
He accused Fulani militant groups of committing atrocities “with total impunity” and insisted the attacks were religiously motivated. Smith criticised previous US administrations for removing Nigeria from the CPC list despite warnings from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Rep. John James: Nigeria “Deadliest Place to Be a Christian” in CPC Debate
Michigan Rep. John James argued that CPC status was long overdue, declaring:
“Nigeria is facing one of the gravest religious freedom crises in the world.”
He linked religious persecution to political repression, citing the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu despite court rulings ordering his release.
Rep. Huizenga: US Media and Congress Downplaying Atrocities
Congressman Bill Huizenga grew emotional as he accused the American media and lawmakers of ignoring religiously motivated killings.
He argued that Christians, moderate Muslims, and other vulnerable groups need stronger protection, saying the Nigerian government “is not doing enough.”
Huizenga also raised questions about the scale of displacement, noting Benue State alone hosts over a million internally displaced people.
Rep. Olszewski: Crisis Is About Capacity, Not Intent in Nigeria CPC Debate
Rep. Johnny Olszewski offered a differing perspective, acknowledging the violence but rejecting claims that the Nigerian state is intentionally persecuting Christians.
“The real issue is that the Nigerian government lacks the capacity to protect its people,” he said.
He warned that US policy should focus on building Nigerian institutional capacity rather than threatening sanctions or military intervention.
Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Jacobs Warn Against a One-Sided Narrative
Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Sara Jacobs cautioned strongly against framing Nigeria’s violence as exclusively anti-Christian, stressing that Muslims and Christians have both suffered.
Jacobs criticised President Trump’s comments as “reckless” and warned that unilateral US military action would be illegal and potentially inflammatory.
“We cannot solve a crisis created by men with guns by adding more men with guns,” she said.
Bishop Anagbe: Christianity at Risk in Nigeria CPC Redesignation Debate
One of the day’s most emotional testimonies came from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who described a systematic attempt to erase Christian communities in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.
He recounted multiple attacks—including the killing of relatives, the displacement of an entire convent, and the near-fatal shooting of a priest.
The bishop said government silence and continued attacks have created widespread abandonment.
“Christianity risks elimination in parts of Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria,” he warned.
He called for sanctions, increased humanitarian aid, and passage of the Nigerian Religious Freedom and Accountability Act.
Government Reaction to CPC Designation in Nigeria CPC Redesignation Debate
Pratt confirmed that the Nigerian government has reacted urgently to the CPC decision.
A senior Nigerian delegation is currently in Washington for consultations, he said.
“Results so far have been positive in terms of cooperation,” Pratt noted.
The hearing revealed deep divisions within Congress over what is driving Nigeria’s crisis—and what role the United States should play.
While some lawmakers support aggressive action to protect persecuted Christians, others warn that the conflict is multidimensional and cannot be reduced to religious motives alone.
However, all parties agree on one point: violence in Nigeria is escalating, and without urgent intervention—domestic and international—the situation could worsen dramatically.
