US congress holds hearing on Nigeria over religious freedom concerns

The United States Congress is holding a joint session today to examine concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria, amid warnings that the country risks escalating Christian–Muslim violence.

The hearing, convened by the House Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, is titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World.” Written testimonies released ahead of the session highlight recurring killings, displacement, and insecurity as indicators of a growing religious crisis in Nigeria.

Among those scheduled to testify are former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback; Mark Walker, Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom at the US State Department; Grace Drexel, daughter of detained Chinese pastor Ezra Jin; and Dr. Stephen Schneck, former chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

In his testimony, Brownback described Nigeria as “the deadliest place on the planet to be a Christian” and warned that early signs of religious conflict could escalate into widespread atrocities.

He also cautioned that foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security landscape, including support from China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, could worsen instability if not carefully monitored.

Schneck described freedom of religion as being in a “historic crisis” worldwide, citing authoritarianism, religious nationalism, and weak governance as drivers. He identified Nigeria, Syria, and Sudan as countries where insecurity and ineffective government responses create dangerous conditions for faith communities.

Schneck also criticised the US government for delays in updating designations under the International Religious Freedom Act and stressed that advocacy must protect all faiths, not only Christians.

Last year, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations, prompting threats of US military action.

The Federal Government has rejected claims of systemic persecution, noting that insecurity affects citizens of all religions.

The hearing comes after ongoing diplomatic engagement, including visits by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to the US and meetings with US congressional delegations to discuss counterterrorism and regional stability.

Lawmakers are expected to consider these discussions as they assess global threats to religious freedom and Nigeria’s role as a flashpoint.