A broad coalition of international religious freedom organisations has praised United States President Donald J. Trump for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing what they describe as “grave violations of religious freedom” and widespread attacks on Christian communities across the country.
In a joint letter dated 13 November 2025, the CPAC Foundation—alongside dozens of faith-based and human rights groups—expressed appreciation for what they called the President’s “strong and decisive action” following years of appeals from advocates and survivors of persecution.
The signatories argue that Nigeria records more Christian deaths due to targeted violence than all other countries combined.
They attribute the attacks to extremist groups including Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed Fulani militant groups operating particularly in the Middle Belt.
The organisations criticised the Nigerian government for what they describe as a failure to prosecute perpetrators, particularly Fulani militant groups accused of deadly assaults on villages, farms, and churches.
Beyond killings, the coalition highlighted the forced displacement of millions, the abduction and trafficking of young girls—often compelled to convert to Islam—and the enforcement of blasphemy laws which they warn have resulted in both state executions and mob violence.
The letter stated, “We write to thank you for your strong and decisive action to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for the grave violations of religious freedom occurring in the country, particularly the targeting of Christians in horrifying numbers. We commend your recognition of the major threat and devastation facing Christians in Nigeria from radical Islamists and a government that has taken little action to protect them, as well as your clear-eyed statements placing all available Presidential actions on the table to ensure that action is taken soon. You saw the evidence, you listened to the cries of the persecuted, and you acted.
“As you have stated, Christians are targeted and murdered for their faith by the thousands in Nigeria, more than in all other countries combined. These attacks come from terrorist groups like Boko Haram, IS-West Africa, and the Fulani militants. While the Nigerian government has failed to bring any of these groups to justice, it has especially failed to counter or prosecute the Fulani militant groups attacking Christians in the Middle Belt region, where the attacks are the worst. Beyond the mass killings, millions have been forced to flee their homes; many are kidnapped and trafficked, particularly young girls, who are often forced to convert to Islam and forced into sham marriages; and many suffer at the hands of Nigeria’s draconian blasphemy laws that mandate the death penalty and inspire widespread mob violence.”
The letter further urged the US government to maintain Nigeria’s CPC status until the Nigerian authorities show verifiable progress in four critical areas, beginning with enhanced security for Christian populations in the Middle Belt. This includes increased deployment of trained security forces, rapid-response mechanisms based on community alerts, and public acknowledgement of past failures to respond to warning signs.
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It said, “Nigeria should remain on the Country of Particular Concern list until it demonstrates real commitment and verifiable evidence of improvement on four levels:
1) Increased security for Christian populations, particularly in the Middle Belt, with the deployment of additional military and law enforcement units trained to be proactive in fighting militants, along with responding to early warnings from communities so that resources can be quickly marshalled, and reviewing and publicly acknowledging past failures to act;
2) Ending impunity for those responsible
for attacks against Christians and ensuring that attackers are fully and quickly prosecuted;
3) Facilitating the safe return of internally-displaced persons to their homelands, and assisting in the rebuilding and security of these communities; and
4) Ceasing enforcement and initiating the repeal of the country’s Sharia blasphemy laws, releasing all individuals imprisoned or detained for blasphemy-related offenses, and prosecuting mob attacks
The letter drew endorsements from a wide and influential coalition of religious leaders, human rights advocates, legal scholars, and heads of international organisations. Signatories included representatives from the International Committee on Nigeria, the International Freedom Foundation, Jubilee Campaign USA, the National Religious Broadcasters, the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, Genocide Watch, and the Faith & Freedom Coalition, among many others. Also included were pastors, legal experts, scholars, and long-time activists connected to global religious freedom initiatives. Their collective support reflects a diverse network of individuals and institutions committed to advancing global religious freedom and highlighting the scale of persecution faced by Christian communities in Nigeria.
The letter was copied to Vice President J. D. Vance, Senator Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and Representative Mike Waltz.
The coalition emphasised that only sustained, verifiable reforms—rather than political assurances—should determine any reconsideration of Nigeria’s CPC designation
