A United States (US) congressional panel has recommended the repeal of Sharia and Blasphemy laws in Nigeria as part of measures aimed at addressing the persecution of Christians and worsening insecurity in the country.
Tribune Online reports that Congressman Riley M. Moore, working with members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, presented a report at the White House detailing what he described as concrete steps to combat the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter extremist violence.
The report followed President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 31, 2025. According to a statement from Moore, President Trump asked Congressman Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead a comprehensive investigation into the persecution of Christian communities and broader security challenges in Nigeria.
The report was the outcome of months of work, including a bipartisan congressional fact-finding trip to Nigeria, hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and engagement with senior Nigerian government officials.
Among its recommendations are the establishment of a bilateral U.S.–Nigeria security agreement to protect vulnerable Christian communities and dismantle jihadist networks; withholding certain U.S. funds pending action by the Nigerian government to halt violence against Christians; imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution; providing technical support to address violence from armed Fulani militias; demanding the repeal of Sharia and Blasphemy laws; and working with international partners including France, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
In a statement after the White House meeting on Monday, Congressman Riley M. Moore said, “Following today’s productive meeting at the White House, I would like to express my gratitude to President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and for his Administration’s commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution and addressing the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria.
“Since President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC and tasked me to lead a Congressional investigation, I have worked diligently with my colleagues to produce the report we presented today.
“I also extend my appreciation to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Congressman Chris Smith for their leadership on this comprehensive investigation and delivering this report to the White House.
“I traveled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and witnessed firsthand the horrific atrocities Christians face, as well as the instability the Nigerian government must combat.
“Through Congressional hearings, expert testimony, meetings with Internally Displaced People, consultations with religious leaders, and engagement with high-level Nigerian government officials, we have provided a clear picture of the threat environment in Nigeria and the horrific persecution Christians face.
“This report outlines concrete steps to impose accountability measures, counter radical Islamic terrorism, and lays out a plan to work in coordination and cooperation with the Nigerian government to bring security to all the people of Nigeria.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to seize the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.
“Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians.”
