The United States government has announced that it may impose visa restrictions on Nigerian individuals and officials implicated in violating religious freedoms, amid mounting reports of attacks against Christians in the country.
The warning, issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, represented a significant escalation in Washington’s approach to Nigeria’s security and human rights challenges.
In a statement shared on social media, Rubio emphasized that the US will deny visas to anyone who knowingly directs, funds, supports, or participates in acts of religious persecution.
This policy, guided by Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, may also apply to immediate family members of offenders where appropriate.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and around the world,” Rubio wrote.
He stressed that the measure is part of a broader commitment to protecting religious freedom internationally.
The announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to its alleged failure to protect religious communities, particularly Christians.
This is the second time Nigeria has been designated under the CPC list, following the first in 2020.
The designation triggered warnings from U.S. lawmakers about possible diplomatic and economic consequences if the Nigerian government does not take stronger action to address escalating violence.
U.S. officials have highlighted that the visa restrictions are intended to hold individuals accountable rather than target the country as a whole.
“This visa policy applies to governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs,” Rubio added.
The measure is part of a wider U.S. strategy that also includes monitoring financial flows, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic engagement to prevent acts of religious violence.
The Nigerian government has responded by asserting its commitment to maintaining security across all communities.
Authorities have implemented several measures, including a national security emergency declaration, recruitment of additional security personnel, and the creation of a team for the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group, aimed at improving coordination with Washington on security issues.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has consistently maintained that all citizens, regardless of faith, are protected under Nigerian law.
While denying that Christians are being specifically targeted, the government has assured both domestic and international observers that it is actively addressing threats to vulnerable communities.
The U.S. warning comes amid rising concerns from both civil society and international partners about the pattern of attacks targeting religious minorities in Nigeria.
Analysts suggested that the visa restrictions, if implemented, could have far-reaching diplomatic consequences, potentially influencing Nigerian policymakers to adopt stricter measures against those responsible for persecution.
