Takeaways from US 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 hearing focused on rising violence and alleged targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The briefing, convened by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the National Security Subcommittee, followed President Donald Trump’s directive for an investigation into what he described as the “slaughter of Christians” in the country.

During the session, lawmakers and experts dismissed claims that Nigeria’s crisis is merely inter-communal or resource-based, arguing instead that the violence reflects a systematic campaign of religious cleansing perpetrated with impunity.

They urged the U.S. government to adopt more assertive policies to address the escalating insecurity.

Rep. Díaz-Balart emphasized that protecting global religious freedom is both a moral imperative and a critical national interest for the United States.

He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the policy response through the FY26 funding bill and expressed determination to secure a full-year funding measure that reinforces protections for persecuted groups.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and radicalized Fulani militants aim to uproot Christian communities from the Middle Belt and impose extremist ideology.

He called on the Nigerian government to disarm militant groups, facilitate the return of displaced families, and prosecute perpetrators of attacks.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who leads the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, described Nigeria as “ground zero of religious violence” and criticized the Nigerian government for failing to uphold its constitutional obligation to protect its citizens.

He said he was confident that, under Trump, the United States would hold Nigerian authorities accountable for what he characterized as complicity in ongoing persecution.

Smith stressed the urgency of U.S. action to prevent further loss of life.

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) highlighted the severity of the crisis and urged the United States to stand firmly with Christian communities in Nigeria and with persecuted religious groups globally.

Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) added that Trump had tasked lawmakers with closely examining the crisis, expressing gratitude for the expert testimony presented and insisting that the international community would no longer ignore the plight of Nigerian Christians.

Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, described jihadist terrorism—particularly from Boko Haram—as the most significant threat to Nigeria’s stability.

He argued that any meaningful solution must include efforts to dismantle the group.

Obadare proposed that the United States work more closely with the Nigerian military to neutralize Boko Haram and exert diplomatic pressure on President Bola Tinubu to make Sharia law unconstitutional in the twelve northern states where it is currently practiced, as well as disband Hisbah groups enforcing Islamic codes on citizens regardless of their religion.

He noted recent actions by the Nigerian government, including air strikes against Boko Haram and the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, as evidence that sustained international pressure can produce results, particularly after Nigeria was designated a Country of Particular Concern.

Vicky Hartzler, Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, warned of worsening threats to religious liberty in Nigeria.

She urged the U.S. government to work with Nigerian authorities to improve accountability and transparency, strengthen the effectiveness of American security assistance programs, and invest in early warning systems that can help prevent violence.

She stressed the importance of ensuring that Nigerian officials act promptly when warning signs emerge and called for continued U.S. support in training and assisting forces working to counter insurgent groups.