FG Moves to Reverse US ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Designation on Nigeria

FG Moves to Reverse US ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Designation on Nigeria

The Federal Government has intensified diplomatic engagements with the United States in a bid to secure the removal of Nigeria from the “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) list, citing ongoing security reforms and strengthened bilateral cooperation.

The designation, issued by the U.S. government in 2025 under its international religious freedom framework, was based on concerns over alleged violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, particularly linked to violence involving extremist groups and communal clashes in parts of the North-East and Middle Belt regions.

The classification followed concerns raised by Washington over attacks attributed to extremist organisations such as Boko Haram and armed groups operating in rural communities, which have contributed to insecurity, displacement, and heightened humanitarian challenges across affected regions.

Nigeria has consistently rejected the CPC designation, arguing that it does not fully reflect the country’s religious diversity or the ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime affecting both Christians and Muslims.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that discussions on the CPC issue formed part of a recent diplomatic engagement in Abuja with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, David Heffern.

In a post on her X handle, she said the meeting covered a broad range of bilateral issues including security and defence cooperation, border management, migration challenges, counter-terrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, visa matters, and other areas of mutual interest between both countries.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that both sides also reviewed ongoing collaboration under the Joint Working Group, which focuses on improving regional stability and addressing shared security concerns across West Africa.

A major point of discussion was Nigeria’s continued inclusion on the CPC list, which the government insists is being addressed through sustained reforms and diplomatic engagement with Washington.

She noted that Nigeria remains committed to working closely with the United States to address underlying concerns while strengthening long-standing bilateral relations.

The Federal Government has also highlighted ongoing improvements in counter-terrorism operations, inter-agency coordination, and community-based security initiatives aimed at reducing violence and protecting civilians across the country.

Officials say Nigeria is also deepening cooperation with international partners in intelligence sharing and regional peacebuilding efforts as part of its broader security strategy.

Authorities maintain that insecurity in Nigeria is driven by multiple factors, including terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts, rather than targeted religious persecution alone.

The government has reiterated that it will continue diplomatic engagement with the United States and other partners in a bid to ensure that Nigeria’s security progress is properly reflected in international assessments.

Both countries are expected to maintain discussions in the coming months as Nigeria pushes for a review of its status on the CPC list and seeks to strengthen cooperation on security and governance issues.

FG Moves to Reverse US ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Designation on Nigeria