The United States has once again placed Nigeria on its list of “Countries of Particular Concern (CPC),” citing what former US President Donald Trump called an “existential threat” to the West African nation’s Christian community.
The designation comes after months of lobbying by American lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups, who claim that Christians in Nigeria are facing systematic violence and persecution. Nigeria’s government, however, has strongly denied those accusations, calling them exaggerated and politically motivated.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to battle multiple security crises across its regions.
In the northeast, the Islamist militant groups Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have waged a brutal insurgency since 2009.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced over two million others.
In the central region, tensions between Muslim herders and Christian farmers often lead to deadly clashes, driven largely by land disputes and resource competition rather than purely religious motives.
Meanwhile, in the northwest, criminal gangs known locally as bandits have been carrying out mass kidnappings, killings, and village raids for ransom, leaving thousands homeless and terrorized.
Despite these realities, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar dismissed the genocide claims, saying on X (formerly Twitter):
“There is no genocide, now or ever, in Nigeria. The government is fully committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion.
The push for Nigeria’s CPC designation has been backed mainly by conservative US politicians and Christian advocacy groups.
• In March, Congressman Chris Smith called for Nigeria’s inclusion on the list, while in October, Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore accused the Nigerian government of “turning a blind eye to the mass murder of Christians.”
• Christian NGOs such as Open Doors and its offshoot Global Christian Relief have published reports claiming that up to 89% of Christians killed for their faith globally are from Nigeria.
• The claims have also been amplified by Biafran separatists—notably the exiled Biafra Republic Government led by Simon Ekpa—who argue that Christian communities in southeastern Nigeria face persecution.
The group has even hired US lobbyists to draw Washington’s attention to their cause. Security experts, however, argue that violence in Nigeria is not one-sided.
According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), both Muslims and Christians have been victims of targeted attacks. Between 2009 and 2025, at least 52,915 civilians were killed in politically or religiously linked violence across the country.
Between 2020 and 2025, 389 attacks targeted Christians, leaving 318 people dead, while 197 attacks targeted Muslims, causing 418 deaths.
Ladd Serwat, a senior Africa analyst with ACLED, told AFP that:
“Islamist violence in Nigeria is largely indiscriminate. It affects both Muslims and Christians. Claims that over 100,000 Christians have been killed are a serious overestimation.”
The CPC label could pave the way for US sanctions against Nigeria, including restrictions on aid, trade, or travel.
Nigeria was previously listed under the same designation during Trump’s first term, but the decision was reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
In July 2025, the US already restricted visas for Nigerians, limiting them to three months, as part of a wider immigration crackdown.
Interestingly, even Trump’s senior advisor on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, recently admitted that extremist groups like Boko Haram “have killed more Muslims than Christians,” showing the complex and multi-layered nature of Nigeria’s violence.
As Nigeria heads toward another election season, insecurity remains one of its biggest challenges.
Analysts say the international spotlight on religious tensions could increase pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to restore order, rebuild public trust, and promote reconciliation between communities long divided by fear and misinformation.
