Seven Key Highlights from U.S. Congressional Hearing on Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria

U.S. lawmakers and foreign policy experts gathered in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for a joint congressional briefing on rising violence and alleged targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The session, led by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and head of its National Security Subcommittee, followed President Donald J. Trump’s directive ordering a federal investigation into what he described as the “slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria.

Throughout the briefing, legislators and experts rejected arguments that the unrest is driven by “inter-communal clashes” or resource disputes. Instead, they characterised it as a coordinated campaign of religious cleansing, enabled by widespread impunity. The panel also outlined urgent steps they believe the U.S. must take to address the crisis.

Below are the seven major takeaways from the hearing:

1. Advancing Policy Through Funding — Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL)

Díaz-Balart reaffirmed that defending global religious liberty is both a moral responsibility and a strategic U.S. interest. He pledged to include measures addressing Christian persecution in Nigeria in the FY26 funding bill and committed to passing a full-year spending plan that strengthens protections for religious freedom.

2. Demand Justice and Disarmament — Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)

Rep. Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said extremist groups — including Boko Haram, ISWAP and radicalised Fulani militants — are intent on expelling Christians from ancestral communities in the Middle Belt and enforcing a radical Islamist ideology.
He urged the Nigerian government to:
a) Disarm armed militias
b) Facilitate the return of displaced families
c) Prosecute perpetrators of attacks

3. Accountability and Decisive Action — Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)

Rep. Smith described Nigeria as “ground zero of religious violence” and said the government has a constitutional duty to protect its citizens. He expressed confidence that, under President Trump, the United States will “hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in the rampant religious persecution” and stressed the need for rapid U.S. intervention to save lives.

4. Standing with the Persecuted — Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)

Aderholt warned that the persistent attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria constitute a humanitarian and human rights crisis. He said the U.S. “must stand firmly with Nigeria’s Christian communities and all persecuted believers worldwide.”

5. Ending the Blind Eye — Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV)

Moore said President Trump directed him and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate reports of atrocities against Christians. He described the testimony received as critical and vowed the U.S. “will no longer turn a blind eye” to what is happening in Nigeria.

6. Degrading Terror and Constitutional Reform — Dr. Ebenezer Obadare

Dr. Obadare, Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, identified jihadist terrorism — especially Boko Haram — as the most serious threat to Nigeria’s stability.
He proposed a two-part policy approach:
a) U.S. collaboration with the Nigerian military to weaken and ultimately eliminate Boko Haram
b) Pressure on President Tinubu to:
• Make Sharia law unconstitutional in the 12 northern states where it has been in force since 2000
• Disband Hisbah groups enforcing Islamic law on citizens regardless of religion

Obadare said recent actions by the Tinubu administration, including increased police recruitment and airstrikes against Boko Haram, show Nigeria “is not impervious to incentives” after being designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

7. Improving Accountability and Leveraging Aid — Hon. Vicky Hartzler

Vicky Hartzler, Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), emphasised the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation. She recommended that the U.S.:
• Work with Nigeria to strengthen accountability and transparency
• Better leverage U.S. security assistance, including police reform and mediation programs
• Invest in early-warning systems to prevent attacks and ensure Nigerian officials act on alerts
• Provide technical support to help counter insurgent groups

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