USCIRF Calls for Special Envoy to Address Religious Freedom Violations in Nigeria

The USCIRF calls for the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria to address severe religious freedom violations. The report condemns the Nigerian government for its failure to respond adequately to violent attacks by non-state actors and recommends designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Persistent blasphemy laws and heightened violence against various religious communities contribute to the deteriorating religious freedom landscape in Nigeria.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that the Trump administration appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to better address ongoing religious freedom violations. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF emphasized the importance of such an appointment to enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts in mitigating the risk of atrocities in this region.

The USCIRF report criticized the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, for its inadequate responses to violent attacks inflicted by non-state actors using religious justification. Various militant groups, particularly Islamist extremists and Fulani militants, have inflicted significant harm on religious communities across Nigeria.

Additionally, USCIRF urged the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria alongside Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs). The report also recommended the redesignation of twelve countries, including China, Iran, and North Korea, as CPCs, while maintaining Algeria and Azerbaijan on the Special Watch List.

The commission proposed that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) be redesignated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), alongside six other militant groups known for their religiously motivated violence.

Blasphemy laws continue to be enforced in Nigeria, carrying penalties of imprisonment. The report noted that several individuals, including humanists and religious practitioners from different faiths, remain imprisoned for alleged blasphemy, displaying state intolerance towards dissenting beliefs.

In 2024, conditions for religious freedom in Nigeria remained dire, with federal and state governments failing to effectively address violent actions by groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Incidents of targeted violence against various religious communities persist, with reports of kidnappings, killings, and harassment based on religious grounds.

The report documented specific instances of religiously motivated violence between January and November 2024, illustrating the ongoing threat faced by religious minorities. USCIRF criticized the Nigerian government’s inadequate response to such violence, highlighting a slow reaction by security forces that often resulted in further casualties.

In summary, the USCIRF’s 2025 report underscores the urgent need for the U.S. government to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria to combat religious freedom violations. The penetration of extremist ideologies, inadequate governmental responses, and ongoing violence against religious communities call for immediate action to restore rights and safety for all citizens. Effective international diplomatic efforts are essential in addressing these complex issues.

Original Source: saharareporters.com