The United States has announced sweeping visa restrictions on Nigerians alleged to be involved in actions that violate or undermine religious freedom.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed the policy in a post on X, stating that the restrictions would target individuals who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.”
The announcement followed a congressional roundtable in Washington, where U.S. lawmakers engaged religious freedom advocates and foreign policy experts on rising violence in Nigeria, particularly attacks seen as targeting Christian communities.
Rubio noted that the measure applies not only to Nigerians but also to other governments and individuals globally who persecute people for their religious beliefs. He described the policy as part of America’s “decisive action” against atrocities committed against Christians in Nigeria and worldwide.
The development comes amid broader U.S. investigations ordered by President Donald Trump into religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
Last month, Rep. Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, introduced a resolution calling for visa bans and asset freezes on entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria. Smith cited the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau as groups of concern.
MACBAN has since urged Congress to withdraw the recommendation, arguing that lawmakers failed to distinguish between criminal gangs and law-abiding pastoralists who also suffer from growing insecurity.
During the roundtable, Smith accused the Nigerian government of complicity in the alleged persecution, intensifying debates over accountability in Nigeria’s security and governance challenges.
