By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria is under intense diplomatic pressure after US President Donald Trump officially designated the nation a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). The designation, announced late Friday, October 31, 2025, cites widespread and severe violations of religious freedom, with the US President warning of an “existential threat” to Christians in the West African nation.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, President Trump claimed that radical Islamists were responsible for the “mass slaughter” of Christians, asserting that “thousands of Christians are being killed.” The move places Nigeria on a State Department watch list for countries that engage in or tolerate particularly egregious violations of religious freedom, joining nations like North Korea and China.
The CPC designation is a serious diplomatic action that legally opens the door for the imposition of US sanctions, which could potentially include the restriction of non-humanitarian aid. The President specifically tasked two members of Congress, Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman Tom Cole, to immediately investigate the situation and recommend further measures, stressing that the United States “cannot stand by” while such atrocities occur.
Nigeria Rejects Claims, Reaffirms Tolerance
The announcement immediately followed an official statement from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by Spokesperson Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. The Nigerian government had already noted the US position on religious freedom and strongly asserted its resolve to tackle violent extremism, which it claimed is fueled by “special interests” driving division across the West African and Sahel regions.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance, arguing that Nigeria is a “God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion.” The statement also mourned all victims of violent extremism and stressed that diversity remains the nation’s greatest strength, while confirming that the Tinubu administration intends to maintain strong ties with the US.
This is not the first time Nigeria has been placed under such scrutiny. The nation was initially added to the CPC list in 2020 by the previous Trump administration but was removed in 2021, a decision that drew criticism from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Analysts suggest the current redesignation is highly political and controversial, as the violence in Nigeria is complex, often attributed to a convergence of Boko Haram activities, farmer-herder clashes over resources, and widespread banditry that affects both Muslim and Christian populations. Nonetheless, the action intensifies global pressure on Abuja to protect all citizens and address the ongoing security crisis effectively.