Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 calls for asset freezes, visa bans, and review of U.S. aid amid claims of escalating attacks on Christians.

Two U.S. Republican lawmakers have introduced a sweeping bill targeting alleged religious violence in Nigeria, calling for the designation of Fulani ethnic militias as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and recommending sanctions against prominent political and pastoralist figures.

The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced by Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith. The bill seeks to impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association over alleged links to religiously motivated violence.

If passed, the bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of State to formally assess whether Fulani militias meet the criteria for designation as an FTO. It also mandates annual reports to Congress on the state of Christian persecution in Nigeria and requires a review of U.S. assistance to ensure that American support does not inadvertently contribute to religious persecution or systemic violence.

Moore said the United States has a moral obligation to defend persecuted Christians globally. “The U.S. is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world,” he stated.

Smith accused the Nigerian government of downplaying the crisis, arguing that official denial has emboldened perpetrators. He claimed that attacks on Christian communities—including killings, church burnings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and village raids—have reached alarming levels.

The bill references estimates suggesting that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria between 2009 and 2025, largely in violence attributed to extremist groups and armed militias operating in parts of the country.

Moore, who said he visited Nigeria as part of a previous U.S. investigation into religious freedom concerns, described witnessing the impact of the violence firsthand. He said communities continue to face devastating consequences amid what he characterised as insufficient accountability.

The proposal is likely to intensify diplomatic scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of ethno-religious conflicts and could significantly affect U.S.–Nigeria relations if enacted.