The House of Representatives has firmly rejected a move by the US Senate to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom, describing the action as misguided and damaging to Nigeria’s global image.
The rejection came after a motion of urgent national importance was moved by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during plenary on Wednesday.
The motion condemned the proposed “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747)” introduced in the US Senate on September 9.
The bill seeks to compel the US Secretary of State to designate Nigeria a CPC and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under the Global Magnitsky Act.
Kalu argued that Nigeria remains a country committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every citizen, regardless of religion.
He dismissed insinuations that the nation’s security challenges stem from religious intolerance, emphasizing that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, while explicitly prohibiting the adoption of a state religion.
“The security issues we face as a country are not religious conflicts but rather multifaceted challenges driven by socio-economic factors. We must reject attempts to portray Nigeria as a nation that persecutes believers,” Kalu said. He added that such narratives could fuel diplomatic tension and discourage international cooperation.
Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere blamed the US Senate’s move on misinformation spread by Nigerians abroad who “deliberately de-market the country.”
He called for collective action by lawmakers and diplomats to correct false impressions and present verifiable facts about Nigeria’s religious diversity and tolerance.
Similarly, Rep. Wole Oke urged immediate diplomatic engagement to counter what he termed “a dangerous narrative” that could lead to sanctions affecting Nigeria’s economy and international partnerships.
Rep. Ahmed Jaha from Borno State also supported the motion, stressing that Nigeria’s global reputation must be defended from baseless accusations.
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Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in adopting the motion, referred the matter to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Police for further legislative action, mandating them to coordinate with relevant ministries to engage the US government and clarify Nigeria’s position.
Nigeria has faced periodic criticism from international organizations over human rights and religious freedom, particularly regarding incidents involving extremist violence and state responses.
However, the government has consistently maintained that such crises are not religiously motivated but rooted in insecurity and economic disparity.
The lawmakers’ unified stand signals an effort to safeguard Nigeria’s diplomatic standing and assert the country’s sovereignty in defining its internal issues. The resolution also aims to prevent potential sanctions that could affect foreign aid, trade relations, and global perception.
As the committees prepare their report, the House reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to upholding freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence among all faiths.
NAN
