Seven takeaways from US joint hearing on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, United States lawmakers and foreign policy experts gathered in Washington, D.C., for a joint congressional briefing to address the rising violence and alleged targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The meeting, chaired by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), followed President Donald J. Trump’s directive to investigate the ongoing “slaughter of Christians” and present actionable findings.
During the briefing, participants firmly dismissed narratives portraying the crisis as mere “inter-communal clashes” or “resource-based conflict.” Instead, they described the situation as a deliberate campaign of religious cleansing, enabled by widespread impunity. They also outlined urgent actions the U.S. government must take to help curb the violence.
Key submissions and proposals from members of Congress included:
1. Advancing Policy Through Funding — Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL)
Rep. Díaz-Balart emphasized that safeguarding global religious freedom is both a moral responsibility and a core American interest. He pledged to incorporate stronger protections for persecuted Christians into his FY26 funding bill and to advance a full-year funding measure to reinforce these efforts.
2. Justice and Disarmament — Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)
Rep. Mast, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that Boko Haram, ISWAP, and radicalized Fulani militants aim to expel Christians from the Middle Belt and enforce extremist ideology. He urged the Nigerian government to:
a. Disarm militant groups
b. Restore displaced families
c. Prosecute all perpetrators
3. Accountability and Urgent Action — Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. Smith labeled Nigeria the “ground zero of religious violence” and maintained that the government must uphold its constitutional duty to protect citizens. He expressed confidence that U.S. intervention under President Trump will hold Nigeria accountable and stressed the need for swift action to prevent further loss of life.
4. Standing with the Persecuted — Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)
Rep. Aderholt affirmed that the persecution of Nigerian Christians is a crisis demanding urgent attention. He called for unwavering U.S. support for Christian communities and all persecuted believers worldwide.
5. Ending Global Silence — Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV)
Rep. Moore revealed that President Trump tasked him and the Appropriations Committee with investigating the crisis. He welcomed expert insights and declared that the world must stop ignoring the persecution occurring in Nigeria.
6. Counterterrorism and Constitutional Reform — Dr. Ebenezer Obadare
Dr. Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations identified Boko Haram as the most severe threat to Nigeria’s stability. He argued that any solution must focus on destroying the group’s capabilities. His recommendations included:
a. Partnering with the Nigerian military to eliminate Boko Haram
b. Pressuring President Tinubu to outlaw Sharia law in northern states and dissolve Hisbah enforcement groups
He noted that recent government actions—including airstrikes and hiring 30,000 new police officers—show that Nigeria responds to international pressure, especially after being designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
7. Strengthening Accountability and Strategic Aid — Hon. Vicky Hartzler
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler stressed the urgency of protecting religious freedom in Nigeria. She proposed:
• Enhancing governmental accountability and transparency
• Better leveraging U.S. security aid, including police training and conflict mediation
• Investing in early-warning systems and ensuring prompt response to alerts
• Providing ongoing technical assistance to counter insurgent threats