November 17, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa will hold an open hearing on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to review President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious freedom violations.
According to the announcement from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the CPC redesignation if approved by the Senate would authorize the US government to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian officials found to be complicit in religious persecution. It could also lead to restrictions on certain forms of bilateral assistance, including security and development programs.
The move has drawn international attention, as the designation places Nigeria among countries considered to pose serious threats to religious freedom. Human rights groups and policy analysts say the action signals growing concern in Washington over ongoing attacks, discrimination, and alleged government inaction related to religious tensions.
Thursday’s hearing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live via webcast for public viewing. The session will be chaired by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has long advocated for stronger oversight of religious freedom issues in Africa.
The subcommittee is expected to take testimonies from State Department officials, religious freedom experts, and stakeholders familiar with Nigeria’s security and human rights landscape. The discussions will focus on the justification for the redesignation, its potential diplomatic implications, and the expected impact on US-Nigeria relations.
Further details on witnesses and supporting documents are expected to be released before the hearing.
