United States House of Representatives has introduced a new bill aimed at holding Nigerian government officials accountable for alleged violations of religious freedom and human rights abuses.
The bill, titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,” was sponsored by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana’s 3rd District.
It was introduced on Oct. 21 and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for further review.
According to the bill, filed as H.R.5808 in the 119th Congress, the U.S. President would be required to impose sanctions under Executive Order 13818 on Nigerian officials identified in a report to be submitted by the Secretary of State.
The report, due within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and annually thereafter, would list federal and state officials accused of promoting or tolerating religious persecution, including the enforcement of blasphemy laws and tolerance of violence by non-state actors such as Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.
The legislation also targets judicial and law enforcement authorities who have prosecuted individuals under blasphemy laws, with the reporting period covering the past 10 years and continuing annually.
The bill reinforces Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” under U.S. law, a status that subjects nations to potential sanctions for severe violations of religious freedom.
If passed, the bill would compel the U.S. government to take punitive action against Nigerian officials and entities implicated in religious persecution
