The United States House of Representatives has opened a full-scale investigation into alleged mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, with lawmakers citing concerns over religious persecution and the country’s recent redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
Key Details
Hearing date & venue: Scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Chair: Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) will preside over the session.
Witnesses: Two panels are expected, including senior U.S. State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.
Focus: The probe will assess President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC, a move that could trigger sanctions and restrict bilateral assistance.
Statements: Congressman Bill Huizenga criticized Nigeria’s government for failing to stop attacks, warning that the situation risks escalating into tragedies similar to Rwanda and South Sudan.
Resolution: Other lawmakers have filed resolutions condemning what they describe as persecution of Christians, signaling bipartisan concern in Congress.
The CPC designation underscores Washington’s alarm over religious freedom in Nigeria. If ratified by the Senate, it would empower the U.S. to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian officials found complicit in religious persecution. The hearings mark one of the most significant congressional interventions on Nigeria’s internal security and human rights record in recent years.
