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US House Republicans sponsor Nigeria Religious Freedom Bill
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Proposal seeks terrorist designation for Fulani militias
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Annual reporting on religious violence in Nigeria required
Some Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives have introduced a bill seeking to designate certain Fulani ethnic militias as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) over alleged religious violence in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced by Representative Riley Moore and co-sponsored by Representative Chris Smith and other Republican lawmakers.
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The bill calls on the US Secretary of State to assess whether Fulani militias should be formally classified as a terrorist organisation and to submit annual reports to Congress detailing efforts to address what the sponsors describe as religious persecution in Nigeria.
It also urges a review of US assistance to Nigeria to ensure American support does not inadvertently enable religious persecution or systemic violence.
Representative Moore, a lawmaker from West Virginia, announced the proposal in a statement, saying:
“Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith. The U.S. is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.”
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He added that the legislation builds on previous US actions, including Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom issues.
The bill, identified as HR 7457, directs the US Secretary of State to provide yearly reports to the House and Senate foreign affairs committees outlining measures taken to combat religious violence in Nigeria.
Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, argued that the US has a responsibility to pressure Nigeria to address persistent violence.
“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,” Smith said.
The bill must pass through legislative processes in the US Congress before it can become law.