Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, and Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) have introduced legislation requiring the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress on efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457) has received early support from several key lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Appropriations Vice Chairman Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL), and Foreign Affairs South and East Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga (R-MI). The bill is expected to move through the House with significant backing.
President Trump has made addressing religious persecution in Nigeria a priority during his administration, including designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
“The Nigerian government’s blatant denial of the religious persecution occurring within its borders has only enabled the religious-based violence in the country to fester, with Christian deaths and church attacks reaching unprecedented numbers,” said Rep. Smith, who has chaired 13 congressional hearings on this issue.
“Now that President Trump has rightly redesignated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC), the United States has a responsibility to do its due diligence in ensuring that the Nigerian government is taking the proper steps to address and punish the systemic violence against Christians and non-radical Muslims by Islamist extremists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists,” he noted.
Rep. Moore stated: “For years, Christians in Nigeria have faced unspeakable violence—churches burned, villages destroyed, families slaughtered—while the global community looked away. As part of the investigation President Trump asked me to lead, I visited Nigeria and witnessed firsthand the horrors our brothers and sisters in Christ face and saw the security challenges Nigeria faces.”
“That is why I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Representative Chris Smith. This legislation makes clear that the United States stands with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ and seeks to help Nigeria address its many challenges,” Moore continued.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast added: “The free world cannot stand by as Christians face mass murders, kidnappings and brutal assaults at the hands of terrorist thugs and armed militias in Nigeria. The Nigerian government must do their part to eliminate the scourge of religious persecution plaguing the country. This bill aligns with President Trump’s steps to hold them accountable and signal to the world that the U.S. stands firm in defending religious freedom.”
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said: “Defending religious liberty in Nigeria and worldwide is both a moral duty and a vital American interest. Moreover, this bill, as well as President Trump’s ongoing efforts, does just that. The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 makes it clear: religious persecution will not be tolerated.”
The legislation mandates a comprehensive report from the U.S. Secretary of State detailing actions taken by both countries regarding religious freedom issues in Nigeria. It will assess compliance with international standards for religious freedom; identify individuals or entities sanctioned under relevant human rights laws; describe joint humanitarian efforts for displaced Christians; evaluate U.S.-Nigeria security assistance; investigate enforcement or repeal efforts regarding blasphemy laws; assess conditions for internally displaced persons; recommend further executive or legislative action; and review any progress made by Nigerian authorities.
Rep. Moore also commented: “I applaud the Nigerian government for working in coordination and cooperation with the Trump Administration to address the security challenges throughout the country. I stand ready to continue working to deepen and strengthen our relationship with Nigeria, as we work to save Christian lives.”
Rep. Smith concluded: “Inaction on the parts of both the Nigerian and U.S. governments only emboldens these radical Islamist thugs to inflict even more misery, suffering, and death upon Christians and non-radical Muslims in Nigeria. That is why it is paramount that the United States remain steadfast in its mission to promote and protect religious freedoms throughout the globe—by ensuring that we are doing all that we can to end this crisis, we set an important example for the rest of the international community.”
Chris Smith currently represents New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress since replacing Frank Thompson in 1981.
Smith was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953, resides today in Manchester Township, holds a BS from The College of New Jersey earned in 1975.
