US Lawmaker Says Nigeria Can Leave CPC List if It Tackles Rights Abuses

US Lawmaker Says Nigeria Can Leave CPC List if It Tackles Rights Abuses

A United States lawmaker, Chris Smith, has said Nigeria can be removed from America’s ‘Country of Particular Concern’ list if it shows genuine commitment to ending human rights violations and protecting vulnerable groups.

Smith made the remark on Thursday during a congressional hearing focused on claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria. The hearing followed former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that a “Christian genocide” is taking place in the country, a claim Nigeria has consistently rejected.

The Federal Government maintains that insecurity is driven by criminal activity, not religion, but US officials still express deep concerns.

Smith, who chaired the session, stressed that the CPC designation is not permanent. He noted that he met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and told the delegation that the United States wants to see improvement.

He urged Nigerian authorities to confront what he described as a “culture of denial” around religious violence and human trafficking, insisting that accountability and justice must be visible.

Smith also criticised the lack of timely police response and the absence of thorough investigations into attacks on citizens. Using Boko Haram as an example, he highlighted the need for Nigeria to understand and address the motivations behind extremist violence.

He said the International Religious Freedom Act and earlier laws would continue to guide how the US holds governments accountable.

Smith concluded that Nigeria’s removal from the CPC list depends on clear, measurable progress in safeguarding its citizens.