U.S. President Donald Trump has placed Nigeria on America’s watchlist of nations accused of violating religious freedom, citing what he called the “mass slaughter of Christians.”
Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump said, “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” adding that he had directed U.S. lawmakers to investigate the attacks.
The designation revives Trump’s 2020 policy, which was dropped by the Biden administration in 2021. By restoring it, Washington signals concern that religious-based violence in Nigeria has worsened.
The decision follows pressure from U.S. lawmakers such as Senator Ted Cruz, who recently sponsored a bill citing the killing of over 52,000 Christians and destruction of 20,000 churches since 2009.
Trump’s order could lead to sanctions or diplomatic restrictions under America’s religious-freedom laws, a move analysts warn may strain U.S.
Nigeria relations already shaken by recent visa limits on Nigerians.
Reactions have been mixed, some U.S. politicians hailed the step as overdue, while Nigerian voices, including Shehu Sani and Bashir Ahmad, called it a political move that might hurt counter-terrorism efforts and deepen divisions.
Despite the controversy, Trump insists the action is meant to “defend Christians and religious minorities” and “restore peace where faith is under fire.”
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