USCIRF has urged the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria to address serious religious freedom violations and recommend designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). Concerns include the enforcement of blasphemy laws and violence by militant groups against religious communities. The situation for religious freedom in Nigeria remains dire, with increased calls for international intervention.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has strongly advocated for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin by the Trump administration, aiming to enhance U.S. diplomatic initiatives against religious freedom violations in the region. In its annual report released in March 2025, USCIRF highlighted the urgent need for targeted efforts to address the escalating risk of violence and atrocity linked to religious conflicts in Nigeria.
USCIRF has also called for the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), alongside Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam, indicating grave concerns about religious freedom abuses. The commission urged the redesignation of twelve additional countries as CPCs, which includes nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea, alongside recommendations for maintaining Algeria and Azerbaijan on the Special Watch List (SWL).
The commission noted that militant groups in Nigeria have continued to perpetrate violence under the guise of religious justification. Furthermore, the USCIRF criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government for failing to effectively respond to these non-state actors’ violent attacks.
The enforcement of blasphemy laws by the Nigerian federal government, which carry penalties including incarceration, has raised concerns among various advocacy groups. Individuals such as Mubarak Bala and Yahaya Sharif–Aminu have faced severe legal repercussions under these laws, highlighting the serious implications for freedom of expression and religious belief in the country.
Religious communities, including indigenous groups, have faced increased harassment from state authorities aimed at limiting public demonstrations of their practices. The USCIRF report observed a particularly harsh response from local governments, exemplified by the demolition of religious shrines in Anambra State.
Despite international scrutiny, conditions for religious freedom in Nigeria remain precarious. The government continues to be accused of tolerating violence from groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and bandit groups targeting religious communities while failing to provide adequate protection to their citizens.
In summary, the USCIRF’s report underscores an urgent need for increased diplomatic engagement by the United States regarding religious freedom violations in Nigeria. It highlights the grave situation faced by various religious communities under threat from militant groups and oppressive legal frameworks. The call for a Special Envoy reflects a recognition that enhanced efforts are critical to safeguard religious liberties and respond to ongoing violence in the region.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
