A joint report from the United States House Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees has recommended a series of policies for Nigeria in a new report submitted to U.S. President Donald Trump.
The document, presented at the White House on February 23, 2026, follows Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
In the new report, the U.S lawmakers recommended that Nigeria establish a formal bilateral security agreement. According to the lawmakers, this agreement would specifically tie future military aid to the protection of vulnerable communities and the dismantling of extremist networks, including “radical Islamist thugs” and armed militias.
Lawmakers are also urging the Trump administration to move beyond “diplomatic concern” and toward “decisive action.” To achieve this, the report suggests:
Withholding Funds: Implementing the FY26 National Security Appropriations Act to pause funding until the Nigerian government shows demonstrable progress in stopping violence against Christians.
Sanctions and Visa Bans: Using “name and shame” tactics through CPC Presidential Directives to target individuals and groups complicit in religious persecution.
Legal Reforms: Demanding the repeal of Sharia criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws that have long been a point of contention in international human rights circles.
A U.S Congressman, Riley Moore, confirmed the submission of the report on his X handle, @RepRileyMoore, on Monday evening.
Part of the report reads: “Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to formally present the comprehensive report outlining concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region.
“The meeting follows President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 31, 2025. President Trump requested Congressman Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead a comprehensive investigation into the persecution against Christian communities and security challenges plaguing Nigeria. This report is the result of months of investigation, 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.
“The official report outlines several key recommendations, including:
– Establishing a bilateral U.S.–Nigeria security agreement to protect vulnerable Christian communities and dismantle jihadist networks.
– Withholding certain U.S. funds, pending demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to stop violence against Christians.
– Implementing sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution.
– Providing technical support to the Nigerian government to eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias.
– Demanding the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws
– Working with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom
Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:
“Following today’s productive meeting at the White House, I want to thank 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 want to thank 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 for delivering this report to the White House.
“I traveled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face, and the instability the Nigerian government must combat. Through Congressional hearings, expert testimony, meeting with Internally Displaced People, hearing from religious leaders, and engaging 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 take 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.”
Moore had earlier led a delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, visiting Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue, speaking with victims of terrorism, and meeting government officials led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The findings of the report stem from interviews with expert witnesses, a hearing and roundtable, two on-the-ground assessments through bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, and a close partnership with the Trump administration.
Moore stated that the U.S team now has a clear picture of the threats in Nigeria and the persecution Christians face.
