The USCIRF has urged the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria to address grave violations of religious freedom. In its 2025 report, it called for Nigeria to be designated as a CPC along with other countries and highlighted systemic harassment and violence against religious communities by various militant groups. The report underscores the role of government oversight in failing to protect these communities.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to combat religious freedom violations. USCIRF’s recommendation emphasizes the need for enhanced diplomatic efforts to address escalating atrocities in the region, particularly against religious communities threatened by various militant groups.
The commission released its annual report in March 2025, which also requested that the U.S. State Department designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) alongside Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam. This move reflects growing concerns over Nigeria’s religious freedom situation, exacerbated by government inaction in response to violence perpetrated by non-state actors who often justify their actions using religious rhetoric.
Militant organizations like Boko Haram and Fulani militants have inflicted severe harm on religious groups, prompting USCIRF to also list Nigeria among the nations needing urgent attention. The report called for the redesignation of multiple countries, including China and Iran, as CPCs, and identified additional states for the Special Watch List (SWL) for their inadequate protection of religious freedoms.
USCIRF highlighted the ongoing enforcement of blasphemy laws in Nigeria that impose harsh penalties for perceived insults to religion. Several imprisoned individuals are high-profile cases of alleged blasphemy, such as Mubarak Bala, sentenced for expressing humanist views, and Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, convicted for remarks deemed insulting to Islam. These cases signify a troubling trend of religious intolerance and legal persecution across various states.
The report details systemic harassment faced by indigenous religious communities, compounded by government-sponsored restrictions on public expressions of indigenous practices. In 2024, Fischer noted, conditions for religious freedom in Nigeria remained starkly poor, as unsanctioned attacks by groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continued with little governmental intervention.
Specific incidents highlighted include the January murder of 14 individuals by JAS insurgents in Yobe State and the May kidnapping of 160 children by Ansaru gunmen in Niger State. These events illustrate the ongoing threat of violence against religious minorities and the lack of timely security responses, contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity.
USCIRF criticized the Nigerian government’s slow reaction to such violent outbreaks, resulting in increased casualties among targeted communities. Estimates suggest around 30,000 Fulani bandits operate in northwest Nigeria, often disrupting food production and targeting Christian farmers, showcasing the grave challenges faced in ensuring religious freedom and safety for all citizens.
In summary, USCIRF’s calls for a Special Envoy for Nigeria highlight the urgent need to address religious freedom violations in the region. The report’s findings reveal systemic issues, including the enforcement of blasphemy laws, targeted violence by militants, and government inaction. Redesignating Nigeria as a CPC and supporting indigenous religious communities are critical steps towards improving the overall religious freedom landscape in the country.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
