Trump adds Nigeria to U.S. religious persecution watchlist

President Donald Trump has announced the placement of Nigeria on a special watchlist for religious freedom, citing claims of anti-Christian violence.

In a social media post on Friday, Trump declared the African nation a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”

“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote.

The move appears to bypass the standard procedure for such designations. Typically, the “country of particular concern” label is assigned based on recommendations from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and State Department specialists.

Instead, Trump stated he had asked the House Appropriations Committee and two Republican congressmen to “immediately look into this matter.”

The allegations mirror contested claims by some right-wing US lawmakers, framing Nigeria’s complex conflicts as a one-sided religious war. However, experts and the Nigerian government itself contend this framing is inaccurate.

Nigeria, divided between a majority-Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south, faces multifaceted violence. This includes a long-standing insurgency by the militant group Boko Haram and clashes between farmers and herders over resources like land and water. Officials deny that religion is the primary driver of these conflicts.

Critics warn the new designation could pave the way for potential future sanctions against Nigeria.

The announcement aligns with Trump’s efforts to bolster his support among the Christian right. Since returning to office, his administration has taken several actions focused on Christian advocacy within the US.

Republican lawmakers Rep. Riley Moore and Sen. Ted Cruz applauded the decision, having long pushed for such a designation.