Crystal Dike
The United States House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday led a joint congressional briefing focused on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, as American lawmakers intensify scrutiny over worsening insecurity in the country.
According to a notice shared on Tuesday by U.S. Congressman Riley Moore on X, the session was convened by the Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the National Security Subcommittee, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart. Lawmakers from the Appropriations, Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees participated in the briefing.
Representatives of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other security and human rights experts were also scheduled to present testimony.
The briefing was convened “to spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” according to the notice. The roundtable is gathering testimony for a comprehensive report “directed by President Donald Trump on the massacre of Nigerian Christians and the steps Congress can take to support the White House’s efforts to protect vulnerable faith communities worldwide.”
Committee officials said the session would provide lawmakers with critical information on the conditions facing religious minorities in Nigeria.
“The roundtable will gather essential testimony to inform a comprehensive report,” the statement added.
The development comes amid strengthened United States–Nigeria security cooperation. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s delegation to the newly established U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group, created to implement security agreements reached during high-level talks in Washington led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The Joint Working Group, made up of senior ministers and top security officials, is expected to enhance counterterrorism operations, intelligence sharing, border security and coordination on humanitarian and civilian protection matters.
The initiative follows rising concerns over terrorism, banditry and targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria, which have drawn increased scrutiny from the United States and renewed calls for stronger protection of vulnerable faith communities.