WASHINGTON/LAGOS, Nov. 20 — The United States is examining a series of measures — including sanctions and deeper Pentagon counterterrorism engagement — aimed at pressuring the Nigerian government to bolster protection for Christian communities, a senior U.S. State Department official told lawmakers on Thursday.
The move follows heightened scrutiny of Nigeria by President Donald Trump, who earlier this month accused the West African nation of failing to act against rising attacks on Christians. Nigeria has rejected the accusations, insisting that claims of Christian persecution oversimplify a complex and multifaceted security crisis.
Jonathan Pratt, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said during testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Washington is “developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government” to safeguard religious communities more effectively.
The plan under consideration includes cooperation between the U.S. State and Treasury Departments on potential sanctions, as well as possible deployment of Pentagon resources and intelligence-sharing to support counterterrorism efforts.
Trump recently reinstated Nigeria on Washington’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for violations of religious freedom. He has also said he instructed the Defense Department to prepare for potential “fast” military action if Nigeria fails to curb killings of Christians, adding that U.S. aid to Nigeria was being halted.
Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups and multiple faith traditions, has long balanced coexistence with intermittent flare-ups of deadly intercommunal clashes — often fueled by ethnic rivalries, resource disputes, or extremist violence. Boko Haram’s 15-year insurgency in the northeast has killed tens of thousands, with human rights experts noting that Muslims have also been heavily targeted.
In response to U.S. pressure, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-level security delegation to Washington, including Nigeria’s national security adviser, defense chief, intelligence chief and police head. They are scheduled to meet with senior U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Pratt said he does not believe Nigeria’s government has been infiltrated by jihadist elements. Meanwhile, Jacob McGee, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said Nigeria’s designation as a country of concern had “captured the attention” of its leaders, but emphasized that “a lot more needs to be done.”
U.S. officials say they plan increased engagement on the ground to reinforce Washington’s message that Nigeria must do more to protect all religious communities.
Reported by Reuters correspondents in Washington and Lagos; editing by newsroom editors.
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