United States lawmakers have urged President Donald Trump to maintain visa sanctions on individuals accused of violence against Christians in Nigeria and to consider blocking beef exports linked to armed herders.
The recommendations were contained in a joint report from the house appropriations and foreign affairs committees on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The report has been submitted to the White House.
Released on Monday, the lawmakers said the report’s findings followed a comprehensive investigation that included interviews with expert witnesses, a hearing and roundtable, on-the-ground assessments through bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, and close partnership with the Trump administration.
“Nigeria has become the most dangerous place in the world to practice the Christian faith, as jihadist networks exploit weak enforcement and limited accountability to carry out sustained and coordinated violence against civilians,” the house members said in a statement.
“Committee members witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences for innocent communities, regional stability, and U.S. national security interests.”
One recommendation urged Trump to strike a bilateral agreement between the US and Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities and eliminate jihadist terror activity.
Part of the bilateral pact requires both countries to further economic cooperation and counter US adversaries in the region including China and Russia, and by divesting Russian military equipment, paving way for American hardware through sales and financing, the report noted.
The agreement would also see the US providing technical support to Nigeria to eliminate violence from armed militias, including by developing a programme that would address illicit weapons and allow farmers to engage in “legitimate self-defense”, support the livestock ministry with ranching plans, and counteract Chinese illegal mining operations and their “practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias”.
HALT FUNDING TO NIGERIA UNTIL PROOF OF PROGRESS
The lawmakers also recommended withholding additional funding to Nigeria until action is taken to stop violence against Christians.
The measure forms part of implementing the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which requires the development of programmes to address religious freedom through legal reforms and disruption of terrorist financing networks.
The treasury department was also tasked with creating activities to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system which will safeguard US national security and enhance the favourable balance of trade for the US.
Lawmakers also recommended US Development Finance Corporation investments in the Middle Belt.
CONTINUED VISA SANCTIONS ON PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE, HALT FULANI BEEF EXPORTS
Earlier this month, some Republican lawmakers introduced a bill seeking the possible designation of “Fulani ethnic militias” as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) over “religious violence” in Nigeria.
The bill also called for sanctions, including visa ban and asset freeze, on “individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.
The entities and individual listed for sanctions were Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and those described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria”.
In Monday’s report, lawmakers recommended that the sanctions be implemented and sustained.
They also demanded the repeal of the Sharia law and criminal anti-blasphemy laws; and using points of leverage to compel herders to disarm, including by blocking export of beef and other cattle-related products to markets in Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal.
