By Dayo Ade Olusola | November 1, 2025
US President Donald Trump has announced that he is designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” alleging that “thousands of Christians” are being killed by radical Islamist groups in the West African nation.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed that Christianity in Nigeria was “facing an existential threat” and urged officials to “immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”
Trump cited figures suggesting that 3,100 Christians had been killed in the country but did not provide a source or specify the timeframe for the alleged deaths.
“Radical Islamists are committing mass slaughter,” Trump wrote. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
Move Adds Nigeria to List of Religious Freedom Offenders
With the designation, Nigeria joins countries such as North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and China on the US list of nations accused of committing “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
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The classification is a step that precedes potential sanctions, which could include restrictions on non-humanitarian aid and other diplomatic measures.
Nigeria Rejects Trump’s Allegations
The Nigerian government swiftly dismissed Trump’s claims as “baseless and politically motivated,” insisting that his comments misrepresent the complex nature of violence within the country.
Security analysts note that while Christians are among those targeted by armed groups, the majority of victims in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northern regions are Muslims, who also suffer frequent attacks from insurgent and criminal gangs.
Republican Support and Evangelical Lobbying
Trump’s comments come amid renewed efforts by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and evangelical groups to pressure Congress into taking stronger action over what they describe as “Christian persecution” in Nigeria.
Faith-based advocacy networks in the US have long pushed for Nigeria to be classified as a top-tier violator of religious freedom—a move that would compel Washington to reconsider bilateral aid and military cooperation with Abuja.
Boko Haram and Islamist Insurgency
The Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, which gained global notoriety after kidnapping more than 270 schoolgirls in 2014, remains one of the principal actors behind religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
A 2021 report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) described the group as responsible for “egregious violations of religious freedom.” The commission estimated that more than 37,000 people have been killed by Islamist militants in Nigeria since 2011.
Broader Context of Violence
Nigeria’s insecurity crisis extends beyond religious lines, with numerous bandit groups, ethnic militias, and terror networks operating across vast regions of the country. Attacks often stem from competition over land, economic hardship, and political grievances—issues analysts warn are being oversimplified by religious framing.
Despite Trump’s latest declaration, Washington’s official foreign policy position toward Nigeria remains unchanged, with the US State Department yet to confirm or endorse his statement.
