The United States is weighing new sanctions and possible Pentagon involvement as it pushes Nigeria to strengthen protection for Christian communities and improve religious freedom.
A senior U.S. State Department official told lawmakers that the plan aims to “incentivize and compel” the Nigerian government to act, reflecting growing concern in Washington over continuing violence.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s renewed scrutiny of Nigeria, after he threatened “fast” military action over the treatment of Christians and announced an immediate halt to all U.S. aid.
Jonathan Pratt, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Washington is evaluating a mix of diplomatic, financial, and security tools. He said the framework “will consider U.S. State and Treasury engagement on sanctions, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism, and other efforts to protect religious communities.”
Pratt added that the U.S. is assessing the security assistance it already provides to Nigeria, including how Abuja uses intelligence and deploys military assets.
Nigeria argues that claims of Christian persecution oversimplify a complex security environment. Officials say violence varies across regions and often involves clashes driven by ethnicity, land disputes, and competition over scarce resources.
Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions, has long presented itself as a diverse nation able to manage internal tensions.
The U.S. recently placed Nigeria back on its list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” a designation reserved for nations accused of severe religious freedom violations. Trump also said he ordered the Defense Department to prepare for swift military action should Nigeria fail to curb the killing of Christians.
Human rights groups underscore that Boko Haram’s 15-year insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives, noting that Muslims have been killed in higher numbers than Christians.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu dispatched top security officials to Washington to defuse tensions and “clarify realities on the ground.” The delegation includes Nigeria’s national security adviser, defense chief, defense intelligence head, and police chief.
A U.S. official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are scheduled to meet Nigeria’s NSA, while Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will also hold talks with the visiting team.
Pratt told lawmakers he does not believe jihadists have infiltrated the Nigerian government, a claim often circulated in political debates. But he stressed that the U.S. expects stronger action from Abuja, especially in areas where security forces have struggled to contain extremist threats.
Jacob McGee, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said the new designation has “captured the attention” of Nigeria’s government, yet warned that “a lot more needed to be done.”
McGee added that U.S. officials are planning more engagement “on the ground” through the embassy and additional visits to ensure Nigeria “hears our very important message that they have to do better.”
The U.S. sees this multipronged approach, sanctions, defense coordination, and public diplomacy, as essential to guaranteeing protection for religious communities and stabilizing one of Africa’s key partners.