US slams visa restrictions on Nigerians over alleged religious persecution

The United States has announced fresh visa restrictions targeting Nigerians accused of undermining religious freedom, a move that signals Washington’s growing concern over rising sectarian violence and alleged government inaction.

In a post on X on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the policy would affect individuals who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support or carry out violations of religious freedom.”

The restrictions apply to Nigeria as well as other countries where individuals or authorities are implicated in religious persecution.

Rubio’s announcement came barely 24 hours after US lawmakers held a high-level roundtable in Washington to examine what they described as escalating violence and the “targeted persecution” of Christians in Nigeria.

The discussion featured religious freedom experts, foreign policy analysts, and members of Congress, reflecting renewed American scrutiny of Nigeria’s security and human rights environment.

According to the Secretary of State, the visa restrictions are part of a broader push to address atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and other regions.

Rubio said the United States was taking “decisive action” to hold enablers of religious persecution accountable.

The latest development follows ongoing investigations ordered by President Donald Trump into the state of religious freedom across several countries, including Nigeria.

Last month, Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, introduced a resolution recommending visa bans and asset freezes for individuals and organisations implicated in severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Smith, who also participated in Tuesday’s roundtable, specifically named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities of concern.

He further proposed that the United States place “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau states on the Entities of Particular Concern list under the International Religious Freedom Act.

In a swift reaction, MACBAN urged the US Congress to withdraw the recommendation, arguing that lumping law-abiding pastoralists with criminal groups was misleading and failed to recognise that herders are also victims of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

During the session, Smith accused the Nigerian government of complicity in what he described as “religious persecution,” stating that persistent attacks on Christian communities and perceived indifference from authorities warranted firmer US action.

The Federal Government has yet to officially respond to Rubio’s announcement.