The United States Congress has formally presented a sweeping list of 11 key demands to the Nigerian government in a report submitted to President Donald Trump. The report follows a congressional investigation led by lawmaker Riley Moore into alleged religious persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria, which led to the country’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The comprehensive demands, published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), call for urgent and concrete actions from Abuja, ranging from security cooperation to legal reforms. Below are the highlights of what U.S. lawmakers are demanding:
On Security and Military Cooperation:
· New Bilateral Security Agreement: Establish a pact to protect Christian communities, eliminate jihadist terror, and counter the influence of China and Russia. This includes Nigeria committing to co-fund humanitarian aid and deploying sufficient forces to the Middle Belt for rapid response.
· Remove Fulani Militias from Land: The report demands that armed Fulani militias be removed from confiscated farmland to enable the voluntary return of displaced communities, primarily in the Middle Belt.
· Divest from Russian Equipment: Nigeria is urged to divest from Russian military hardware and increase purchases of American equipment through sales and financing.
· Counter-Terrorism & Tech Support: Provide technical support to help Nigeria eliminate violence from Fulani militias, including developing a disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) programme. It also calls for comprehensive cooperation to rid the region of foreign terrorist organisations that threaten the U.S. homeland.
On Accountability, Sanctions, and Legal Reforms:
· Sanctions and Visa Restrictions: The U.S. demands the implementation of sanctions and continued visa restrictions on individuals and groups responsible for or tolerant of violence against Christians.
· Demand Repeal of Sharia & Blasphemy Laws: The report explicitly calls on Nigeria to repeal Sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws.
· Use “Points of Leverage”: Lawmakers recommend using economic leverage to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm, specifically by blocking the export of beef and cattle-related products to key markets like Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal.
· Name and Shame: Invoke CPC Presidential Directives to publicly name perpetrators of violence.
· Intelligence Review: Require a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Nigeria’s sectarian violence and review classifying Fulani militia groups with terror links as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
On Financial Oversight and International Partnership:
· Strengthen Financial Systems: Use Treasury Department programmes to strengthen Nigeria’s financial integrity, disrupt terror financing, and safeguard U.S. national security.
· Oversight and Audits: Require a GAO audit report on the effectiveness of U.S. aid to Nigeria and recommendations for strengthened oversight.
· Enlist International Partners: Work with allies including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to address the crisis.
The report also calls for ensuring adequate staffing of U.S. diplomatic posts in Nigeria and for the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to increase investments, especially in the Middle Belt. These demands represent a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on the Nigerian government over its handling of internal security and religious freedom.