US Congress to probe Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as country of particular concern

US Congress to probe Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as country of particular concern

The United States House Subcommittee on Africa will hold a high-profile public hearing on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to examine former President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations.

The hearing, scheduled for 11 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building and streamed live, will be chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-standing advocate for global religious liberty.

According to the invitation sent to members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, two panels will testify. The first will feature senior US State Department officials, including Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

A second panel will include leading civil society figures such as Nina Shea, Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The inquiry will review alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and weigh possible US actions ranging from sanctions to humanitarian support and deeper cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

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Trump’s Hardline Position

Trump reinstated Nigeria on the CPC list on October 31, 2025, warning that Christians faced an “existential threat” from Islamist extremists and accusing Abuja of failing to act.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid,” he declared, threatening military intervention and ordering the US “Department of War” to prepare for rapid action.

Tinubu Rejects Allegations

President Bola Tinubu fired back, insisting Trump’s claims “do not reflect our national reality.” He stressed that religious freedom remains protected under Nigeria’s Constitution, saying:

“Religious tolerance has been a core tenet of our collective identity.”

Growing Political Pressure in Washington

US lawmakers have intensified scrutiny of Nigeria. Senator Ted Cruz has filed a companion bill supporting the CPC label, while Republican congressmen have backed Trump’s stance.

Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) told Fox News that Christians in Nigeria are being killed at a ratio of “five to one” compared with Muslims, adding that:

“The CPC designation unlocks sanctions, funding restrictions and, if necessary, military options.”

Bishop Anagbe, set to testify, has repeatedly raised the alarm over sustained attacks on Christian communities in Benue State, warning that displaced families continue to seek refuge in IDP camps.

US Congress to probe Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as country of particular concern