Religious freedom experts have long advocated for the U.S. government to address the worsening situation in Nigeria. On 31 October 2025, the Trump Administration redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC), marking a major step forward for protecting persecuted Christians in the country.
“Protecting Christians is not about politics – it is a moral duty,” Ambassador Waltz said in his opening remarks. “We need voices that pierce the silence we have heard from the international community, that humanize the statistics we keep hearing, and demand accountability.”
Advocates are now calling for continued action from the U.S. following the CPC designation. In a coalition letter thanking President Trump for his actions on Nigeria, signatories highlight the key steps necessary for Nigeria to undertake to protect persecuted communities, including: 1) increased security and reliable early warning systems for Christian communities, particularly in the Middle Belt where Fulani militant attacks are the worst; 2) swift prosecution for attackers; 3) facilitating the safe return of internally-displaced persons; and 4) repealing the country’s draconian Sharia blasphemy laws. By pressing for these measures, advocates aim to guarantee that the CPC designation leads to tangible improvements for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians and lasting protections for religious freedom.
In addition to experts and officials, public figures have continued to speak out against the anti-Christian violence taking place in Nigeria. Among these are Bill Maher, who drew attention to the issue in late September, sparking widespread online discussion.
Singer Nicki Minaj has been vocal online about the crisis, leading to her appearance on today’s panel.
Following the Trump administration’s CPC designation, Minaj tweeted, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other. Numerous countries all around the world are being affected by this horror & it’s dangerous to pretend we don’t notice. Thank you to The President and his team for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian. Let’s remember to lift them up in prayer.”
