The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs have formally submitted a report to the White House outlining wide-ranging recommendations aimed at addressing what they described as the “persecution of Christians” and escalating insecurity in Nigeria .
The recommendations follow President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern on October 31, 2025 . Congressman Riley Moore, who led the investigation alongside Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, presented the report following months of inquiry that included hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, and two bipartisan fact-finding visits to Nigeria .
During the visits, the congressional delegation toured Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State and held discussions with senior Nigerian officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu .
The full recommendations from the report include:
Bilateral Security Agreement
Establishment of a bilateral US-Nigeria security agreement to protect vulnerable Christian communities, eliminate jihadist activity, enhance economic cooperation, and counter regional adversaries including the Chinese Communist Party and the Russian Federation .
Military Cooperation
Expansion of security cooperation including divestment from Russian military equipment in favour of American systems through sales and financing .
Funding Conditions
Withholding of certain US funds pending demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to stop violence against Christians, with accountability mechanisms requiring measurable progress before additional funds are released .
Sanctions and Visa Restrictions
Implementation of sanctions and continued visa restrictions on individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution and violence against Christians .
Beef Export Restrictions
Use of economic leverage, including blocking the export of beef and other cattle-related products to markets in Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal, to encourage disarmament by Fulani herdsmen .
Countering Illegal Mining
Measures to counter the influence of Chinese illegal mining operations and their alleged practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias .
Technical Support
Technical assistance to the Nigerian government to address violence from armed Fulani militias, including demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programmes; support for livestock ministry reforms and ranching initiatives; and strengthening security forces’ operational capabilities .
Legal Reforms
Calls for the repeal of Sharia-based codes and anti-blasphemy laws, which lawmakers argue contribute to religious discrimination .
Humanitarian Support
Commitments by Nigeria to co-fund humanitarian assistance, including through faith-based organisations, and prioritise Internally Displaced Persons and host communities in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt region .
Land and Security Reforms
Removal of Fulani militias from confiscated farmlands and facilitation of the voluntary return of displaced communities with security and infrastructure support .
Early Warning Systems
Support for early-warning systems to prevent attacks and kidnappings, including deployment of capable security forces and accountability for officials who ignore warnings .
Counter-Terrorism Designation
Consideration of classifying certain Fulani militia groups linked to terror activities as Foreign Terrorist Organisations .
Intelligence Assessment
A National Intelligence Estimate on sectarian and communal violence in Nigeria .
International Collaboration
Coordination with international partners including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to address security and humanitarian concerns .
Diplomatic Strengthening
Strengthening of diplomatic staffing in Nigeria and improvements to the Foreign Military Sales process to expedite defence procurement .
Financial Oversight
Oversight of US aid through a Government Accountability Office audit and investments via the US Development Finance Corporation, particularly in the Middle Belt .
Anti-Money Laundering
Programmes to strengthen religious freedom, legal reforms, policing, and anti-money laundering capabilities, including efforts to disrupt terrorist financing and recover illicit funds linked to militias .
Speaking after the White House presentation, Moore said: “Following today’s productive meeting at the White House, I want to thank President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and for his Administration’s commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution” .
He added: “I traveled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face, and the instability the Nigerian government must combat” .
