The United States has stepped up pressure on Nigeria after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that America will place visa restrictions on people involved in violations of religious freedom.
Rubio said the U.S. is acting because of rising attacks on Christians in Nigeria and other countries. In a statement on X, he said visas would be denied to anyone who supports, funds, or carries out religious persecution.
He noted that the policy applies to Nigeria and others involved in attacks based on religion.
A Washington lobbyist, Elias Gerasoulis, added fuel to the tension by saying on X that Nigeria should be treated like Venezuela and does not deserve the respect of a sovereign nation.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also repeated earlier warnings, saying he had ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria. He claimed that the Nigerian government was allowing the persecution of Christians and said the U.S. might stop all aid and could “go in fast and hard” against the attackers.
Nigeria had earlier been listed by the U.S. as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to rising religious violence. In November, U.S. lawmakers warned that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to protect Christians and other victims of extremist attacks.
Reactions in Nigeria
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad welcomed the visa ban threat, saying anyone—home or abroad—who contributes to violence in Nigeria should be barred from entering the U.S. He noted that both Muslims and Christians are victims of killings.
However, he condemned U.S. calls for Nigeria to end Sharia law in the North and disband Hisbah groups, describing it as interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The calls to abolish Sharia were made during a U.S. congressional briefing, where speakers said extremist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP and radicalised Fulani militants were exploiting Sharia structures to push extremist ideology.
Ahmad insisted that the U.S. had no right to dictate how Nigerians should live or practise their religion.
Strong Criticism From U.S. Lawmakers
At a heated congressional hearing on Nigeria’s CPC status, U.S. lawmakers criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for “not doing enough” to stop widespread insecurity.
Congressman Bill Huizenga said the Nigerian government had failed to protect Christians, moderate Muslims, and other victims of extremist violence. He accused Abuja’s delegation of downplaying the crisis.
He pointed to past mass killings, including a 2023 Christmas Eve attack that left over 200 people dead, as evidence that security had not improved.
Another lawmaker, Andy Olszewski, questioned whether Nigeria even had the capacity to protect its citizens. He said lack of capacity does not excuse government responsibility and urged the U.S. to rethink how it engages Nigeria—whether through partnership or pressure.
U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Pratt responded that Nigeria is a large, wealthy country facing a serious security problem. He said the U.S. is assisting but wants Nigeria to show more commitment to stopping religiously targeted attacks.
Concerns Over Halted Peace Programmes
Olszewski also raised concerns about a suspended U.S.-funded peace programme called Nigerian Youth Care, which brought Christian and Muslim youths together in the North-East. The programme stopped due to delays and was not renewed.
State Department officials said the U.S. continues to support interfaith dialogue but must ensure all programmes are effective and address the complex causes of violence in Nigeria.
