Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Representative Smith of New Jersey, requires the U.S. government to track and report on religious violence in Nigeria. It focuses on protecting Christians and other groups from attacks by extremist militias. The goal is to hold the Nigerian government accountable for failing to stop mass killings and kidnappings.
• The policy calls for the U.S. to use sanctions, such as freezing bank accounts and banning travel, for people or groups responsible for religious persecution. It notes that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, and over 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed.
• It asks the State Department to determine if certain armed militias should be officially labeled as foreign terrorist organizations. This label would make it illegal for anyone to provide them with money or support and would help the U.S. target the networks that fund these violent groups.
• The bill pushes Nigeria to get rid of "blasphemy laws" that can lead to the death penalty for people who speak about their faith. It also seeks to help the 3.5 to 5 million people who have been forced to leave their homes, ensuring they can safely return to their communities.
• If passed, the U.S. would provide more humanitarian aid through local charities and faith-based organizations to help victims of violence. It also suggests that future military or financial help to Nigeria should depend on whether the country shows real progress in protecting its citizens from religious attacks.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.