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Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore were among the entities recommended by US lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes.

The House Appropriations Committee hailed President Trump for his decisive action stating, “The United States Congress commends President Trump for his decisive action to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to hold perpetrators of violence to account and compel the Government of Nigeria to protect vulnerable communities and end religious persecution,” the committee stated.

Congressional Investigation and Findings According to the post, recalled that President Trump tasked Rep. Moore, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, and the Appropriations Committee with investigating the “persecution and slaughter of Nigerian Christians.”

To examine the situation, Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart hosted an investigative roundtable and led a congressional delegation to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith convened hearings to gather testimony from government officials and civil society witnesses.

The collaboration, the statement said, culminated in a set of policy recommendations.

In its findings, Congress declared: “After decades of persecution, Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”

The committees alleged that Christians in Nigeria “are subject to ongoing violent attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in the death and murder of tens of thousands of Christians, including pastors and priests, the destruction of thousands of churches and schools, as well as kidnappings.”

They further criticised the use of blasphemy laws in northern Nigerian states, stating that such laws “are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process.”

While acknowledging Nigeria as a key US partner, Congress insisted that Nigeria must demonstrate stronger political will.

“Although the Government of Nigeria is a key partner for the United States, such a government must demonstrate the political will, including by allocating its own financial resources, to immediately reduce and then eliminate the violence,” the statement read.

It added, “The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America and Nigeria safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”

The Congressmen central to their recommendations, proposed a bilateral security and economic pact between both nations.

The Congress urged President Trump to “strike a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Government of Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution, eliminate jihadist terror activity in the region, further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region, including the Chinese Communist Party and the Russian Federation.”

They further recommended that under the proposed agreement, Nigeria would commit to, “Co-funding donor-supported humanitarian assistance, including through faith-based organisations, with priority for internally displaced persons in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt.

They also proposed supporting early-warning mechanisms to prevent attacks and kidnappings, including deploying sufficient and capable security forces to enable rapid response.

Removing armed militias from confiscated farmlands and enabling displaced communities to return home safely, thereby restoring agricultural productivity.

The committees also called for expanded security cooperation, including divestment from Russian military equipment in favour of American defence systems through sales and financing arrangements.

They recommended technical assistance to reduce and eliminate violence from armed militias, including developing a “demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programme to address illicit weapons and support safer communities while allowing farmers to engage in legitimate self-defence.”

Further proposals included support for Nigeria’s Ministry of Livestock, ranching initiatives, meaningful land reforms, and enhanced recruitment and technical capacity within Nigeria’s security forces.

The US lawmakers advocated comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation to eliminate foreign terrorist organisations operating in the region and called for the provision of excess US defence equipment where necessary.

They also pledged to counter what they described as “hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilising practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.”

Among additional measures outlined were – Implementation of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, with increased accountability before additional funds are released.

Sanctions against individuals and groups participating in or tolerating violence against Christians.

Continued visa restrictions for perpetrators of religious violence, public invocation of CPC Presidential Directives to “name and shame perpetrators of violence.”

A demand for the repeal of Sharia criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws, review of trade leverage, including potential restrictions on cattle-related exports linked to armed groups.

A Government Accountability Office audit of US aid effectiveness in Nigeria.

A National Intelligence Estimate on Nigeria’s sectarian and communal violence, including a review of whether certain militia groups should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.

Engagement with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.

The committees also emphasised improving the Foreign Military Sales process to expedite defence procurement and ensuring adequate staffing of US diplomatic missions in Nigeria.

The recommendations signal what lawmakers described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change” following Nigeria’s redesignation as a CPC.