By DAYO ADESULU
Fresh diplomatic pressure is building in Washington as American lawmakers unveil a sweeping Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill that could reshape US–Nigeria relations. The proposed legislation recommends targeted sanctions against alleged Fulani militias and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, drawing sharp attention to religious violence and accountability concerns in Africa’s most populous nation.
The bill, formally titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, arrives at a time when sectarian tensions and insurgent attacks continue to raise alarm across parts of Nigeria.
What the Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill Proposes
United States Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith introduced the bipartisan legislation, arguing that previous American measures have not gone far enough in addressing religious persecution and violence.
Moore, a Republican lawmaker, described the initiative as a necessary step to strengthen accountability mechanisms. According to him, the proposed law builds on prior US actions, including Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern and recent security cooperation agreements between both nations.
The Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill specifically recommends sanctions against armed groups accused of religiously motivated violence. It also proposes measures targeting government officials alleged to have enacted or supported policies critics consider restrictive to religious freedom.
Legal observers say the legislation marks one of the strongest congressional attempts in recent years to directly link US security and economic engagement with Nigeria to measurable human rights benchmarks.
Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom, welcomed the move. He described the sponsors as a “powerhouse team” committed to increasing accountability, noting that the bill includes recommendations for sanctions against Fulani militias and Kwankwaso, who introduced Sharia criminal law during his tenure in Kano State.
Growing International Scrutiny on Religious Violence
The introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill reflects growing international concern over sectarian violence in Nigeria. Armed attacks in parts of the North-East and Middle Belt regions have fueled accusations of religious targeting, even as Nigerian authorities insist the crisis stems from terrorism, banditry, and communal disputes rather than a coordinated religious campaign.
President Donald Trump has previously described the violence as persecution and even “genocide” against Christians. However, Nigerian officials have repeatedly rejected that characterization, arguing that the country faces a complex security emergency driven by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
For more than a decade, insurgency in the North-East has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions. Meanwhile, banditry and communal clashes in other regions continue to stretch security forces thin.
Against this backdrop, supporters of the bill argue that stronger accountability measures will encourage Nigeria to address religiously motivated attacks more decisively. Critics, however, warn that sanctions could complicate diplomatic ties at a time when both countries are deepening military cooperation.
US Expands Military Support to Nigeria
The Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill emerges just as Washington confirms plans to deploy 200 additional US troops to Nigeria in an advisory capacity.
Nigerian and American officials announced the deployment this week, stressing that the troops will focus strictly on training and technical support. They will not participate in direct combat operations.
Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, confirmed the development. He explained that the personnel will assist Nigerian forces in improving coordination between air strikes and ground operations.
Reports indicate that the incoming troops will complement a small US team already supporting air strike targeting. The reinforcements are expected in the coming weeks and will enhance operational efficiency in counterterrorism campaigns.
Importantly, Nigerian authorities emphasized that American soldiers will not engage in frontline fighting. Instead, they will provide advisory and technical guidance aimed at boosting Nigeria’s security architecture.
Diplomatic Balancing Act Ahead
The timing of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill places Abuja in a delicate position. On one hand, Nigeria seeks deeper security cooperation to combat insurgency and stabilize vulnerable regions. On the other hand, potential sanctions tied to human rights concerns could introduce new diplomatic tensions.
Observers say the bill signals Washington’s willingness to tie military and economic collaboration to accountability standards. If passed, it could influence how Nigeria shapes both its security policies and religious freedom protections moving forward.
The legislation will now proceed to committee review in the US House of Representatives. Supporters are pushing for swift consideration, citing the urgency of ongoing violence and alleged rights violations.
Meanwhile, Nigerian officials continue to defend the government’s handling of insecurity, maintaining that the crisis remains multifaceted and not exclusively religious in nature.
As debates unfold in Washington, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill has already sparked intense conversations on both sides of the Atlantic. Whether it leads to sanctions or reshapes bilateral cooperation, one thing is clear: international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security and religious freedom record has entered a new phase.
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