The United States is weighing sanctions and expanded military involvement to pressure Nigeria to improve protections for Christian communities and address religious-freedom concerns, a senior State Department official told Congress on Thursday. Jonathan Pratt, head of the Bureau of African Affairs, said the Trump administration is crafting measures involving the State and Treasury Departments, along with possible counterterrorism engagement by the Pentagon—now renamed the Department of War.
Pratt said Washington is reassessing the security assistance it provides to Nigeria, including its effectiveness and intelligence-sharing arrangements. He emphasized that President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” highlights a commitment to defending global religious freedom.
The policy review follows Trump’s earlier warning that the U.S. could take military action and halt aid if Nigeria fails to curb violence against Christians. Nigerian officials reject claims of systemic persecution, attributing unrest to broader security challenges such as insurgency, ethnic tensions, and resource conflicts.
Additional testimony from Jacob McGee of the State Department’s human rights bureau indicated that while the CPC designation has drawn Nigeria’s attention, “much more needs to be done.” A high-level Nigerian delegation is currently in Washington for meetings with senior U.S. officials.
Pratt also told lawmakers he does not believe Nigeria’s government has been infiltrated by jihadists, while U.S. officials say they plan increased engagement to press Abuja to deliver tangible improvements on religious freedom and civilian protection.
