Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has placed Nigeria on America’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list, citing what he called an “existential threat” to Christianity in Africa’s most populous nation. The move, announced on October 31, comes amid growing reports of violence targeting Christian communities in Nigeria’s central and northern regions.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said that the United States would no longer remain silent over what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians by extremist groups.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump said. “Thousands of Christians are being killed, and the Nigerian government has failed to act decisively.”
The new designation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 allows Washington to impose diplomatic or economic sanctions against nations accused of violating religious freedoms. While no immediate sanctions were announced, Trump warned that U.S. aid to Nigeria could be suspended and hinted at possible military intervention if attacks on Christians continue.
Nigeria’s government quickly rejected the allegations, calling Trump’s comments “unfair and misleading.” Officials in Abuja insisted that the country guarantees freedom of worship and that its security forces are working to protect all citizens, regardless of religion. They argued that much of the ongoing violence stems from herder-farmer conflicts, banditry, and resource disputes, not religious persecution.
Analysts say that while Christian communities have suffered brutal attacks, many Muslim and other minority groups have also been victims of violence across Nigeria. The country’s middle belt, particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, and Kaduna, has witnessed recurring clashes over land and cattle routes, which often take on religious overtones.
Human rights experts caution that framing the crisis purely as a Christian-versus-Muslim issue risks inflaming tensions and overlooking the deeper causes of the conflict. Still, Trump’s strong language marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, aligning with his administration’s emphasis on defending persecuted Christians worldwide.
In Congress, the decision has drawn mixed reactions. Some lawmakers praised the move as overdue, while others warned that aggressive rhetoric could strain relations with Nigeria, a key U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism in West Africa.
For now, the designation places Nigeria under close international scrutiny. If the situation worsens or the government fails to show concrete progress, Washington could escalate its response with sanctions or further diplomatic measures.
As Nigeria faces mounting pressure, both from within and abroad, religious leaders have called for calm and unity. They urge the government to address the underlying drivers of violence while ensuring equal protection for all faiths.