U S. considers sanctions, diplomatic measures to pressure Nigeria on protecting Christian communities
United States is considering a mix of sanctions, diplomatic pressure and counterterrorism engagement with Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to compel the Nigerian government to improve protections for Christian communities, a senior U.S. State Department official told lawmakers on Thursday.
Speaking before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the senior official overseeing the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Jonathan Pratt, said the Trump administration is developing a plan aimed at pushing Nigeria to address religious freedom concerns more decisively.
“The Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivise and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities,” Pratt said, adding that the plan may involve State and Treasury sanctions, as well as potential Department of War (formerly Pentagon) engagement on counterterrorism.
U.S. Pressure Intensifies After Trump Threatens Military Action
Nigeria has drawn heightened scrutiny after U.S. President Donald Trump in early November threatened “fast military action” over what he described as the killing of Christians in the country.
The administration earlier restored Nigeria to its “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) list—an official designation for nations accused of violating religious freedom.
Nigeria has rejected the characterisation, arguing that claims of systematic persecution of Christians oversimplify a complex security environment in which both Christians and Muslims face threats from extremist groups and communal conflicts.
Washington Examining Nigeria’s Use of Security Assistance
Pratt said U.S. policymakers are reviewing the security assistance provided to Nigeria and how the government deploys those assets in high-risk regions.
This includes intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism cooperation and internal security programmes.
He emphasised that the U.S. remains concerned about how Nigeria protects religious communities amid ongoing violence driven by ethnic tensions, resource conflicts, and the longstanding Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed tens of thousands in the last 15 years.
Human rights experts have previously noted that more Muslims than Christians have been killed by Boko Haram.
Pratt also said he does not believe extremist jihadists have infiltrated the Nigerian government, countering claims made by some U.S. lawmakers.
High-Level Nigerian Delegation in Washington for Talks
A Nigerian delegation—including the country’s national security adviser, defence chief, defence intelligence chief, and inspector-general of police—arrived in Washington this week for meetings with U.S. officials.
They are expected to engage with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and senior Pentagon officials to address concerns raised by the U.S. government.
More U.S. Engagement Expected, Says State Department
Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Jacob McGee, said Nigeria’s re-designation as a CPC country has “captured the attention” of its government but stressed that significant work remains.
“We are planning engagement on the ground to make sure Nigerians hear our very important message—that they have to do better,” McGee said.
Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups and a population split among Christianity, Islam, and traditional beliefs, has a long history of coexistence despite periodic violence.
