The United States House of Representatives has introduced a new bill titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”, aimed at increasing scrutiny over alleged religious persecution and human rights abuses in Nigeria. The legislation seeks to hold Nigerian officials accountable for violations related to religious freedom and violence justified on religious grounds.
The bill, filed as H.R. 5808 in the 119th Congress, was introduced on October 21, 2025, by Representative Marlin A. Stutzman, a Republican from Indiana’s 3rd District. According to records on the official U.S. Congress website accessed by SaharaReporters on Thursday, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary for review. The duration of the committees’ consideration will be determined by the Speaker of the House.
In Section 2(a) of the bill, lawmakers direct the U.S. President to impose sanctions outlined in Executive Order 13818, which authorizes the blocking of property and financial interests of individuals involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption. The sanctions are to be applied to persons identified in a report required under subsection (b) of the Act. 
Under subsection (b)(1), the legislation mandates that, within 90 days of enactment and annually thereafter, the U.S. Secretary of State must submit a report to Congress listing Nigerian individuals who meet specific criteria. These include:
Federal officials or state governors who have promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, either through public advocacy, legislation, or executive enforcement.
Officials who have tolerated or enabled violence by non-state actors using religious justification, including organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations under U.S. law, such as those listed in Section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)), or as specially designated global terrorists under Executive Order 13224.
Judges, magistrates, prison officials, and other law enforcement authorities who have enforced blasphemy laws through prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, or other forms of deprivation of liberty.
The bill defines the period under review as beginning 10 years prior to the enactment of the Act and ending on the date the initial report is submitted. Each subsequent report would cover the period between the previous and current submissions.
Additionally, the introduction of this legislation coincides with the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom.
According to the bill, reports required under Section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and reviews under Section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 direct the Secretary of State to officially designate:
The Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the same provisions.
If enacted, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 would significantly strengthen U.S. oversight and potential sanctions related to religious persecution and violence in Nigeria.
