The House of Representatives has unanimously rejected attempts by the United States Senate to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
A Country of Particular Concern is a classification by the US Secretary of State for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
On Sept. 9, a bill titled Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747) was introduced in the US Senate, seeking to compel the Secretary of State to designate Nigeria a CPC and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky) and related laws.
The resolution of the House followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who warned of the potential implications of the US action.
Kalu described Nigeria as a nation that upholds the rights to worship and human dignity, stressing that its security challenges were not rooted in religious differences.
He noted that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and prohibits the adoption of any state religion.
Kalu urged the House to reject narratives portraying Nigeria’s security situation as a religious conflict or state-sponsored persecution, while reaffirming the nation’s constitutional protection of religious freedom.
The Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, attributed the move by the US Senate to the actions of some Nigerians who, he said, had chosen to de-market the country.
He called on lawmakers to counter misinformation and present accurate facts to the US authorities.
Similarly, Rep. Wole Oke urged immediate steps to correct false impressions about Nigeria and prevent any sanctions, while Rep. Ahmed Jaha of Chibok Federal Constituency emphasised the need to safeguard the country’s international reputation.
Following deliberations, Speaker Rep. Tajudeen Abbas referred the matter to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Police Affairs for further legislative consideration.
(NAN)