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U.S. Congress Introduces “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act” to Sanction Officials Over Rights Abuses
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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.
By Gloria Ikibah
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament will this week begin deliberations on strategies to position Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as key drivers of regional value chains, as part of efforts to boost economic integration and expand opportunities for businesses across West Africa.
The discussions will take place during a delocalised meeting of the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector; Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research; Administration, Finance and Budget; and Public Accounts, scheduled to hold in Cotonou, Benin Republic, from 27 to 31 July 2026.
The meeting will focus on the theme, “Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains,” reflecting growing recognition of the critical role small businesses play in the region’s economy.
According to a media advisory issued by the Communications Directorate of the ECOWAS Parliament on 21 July 2026, “The ECOWAS Parliament is holding the delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector | Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research | Administration, Finance and Budget | Public Accounts, on the theme ‘Empowering MSMEs as Formal Drivers of ECOWAS Regional Value Chains.’”
The meeting comes at a time when policymakers across West Africa are seeking practical ways to unlock the economic potential of MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the region’s private sector.
A United Nations policy brief on the subject indicates that MSMEs account for more than 90 per cent of all businesses and provide about half of total employment across ECOWAS member states. Despite their importance, many of these enterprises continue to operate outside the formal economy and face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, weak infrastructure and barriers to cross-border trade.
Lawmakers are expected to examine these challenges and develop recommendations aimed at integrating MSMEs more effectively into regional value chains, improving their competitiveness and enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed claims that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing his delayed resumption instead to the ongoing FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by Mexico and the United States.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today last Monday, the former presidential aide said the delay was due to logistical and diplomatic considerations linked to the global football tournament, stressing that he was not the only Nigerian envoy yet to assume duty. Omokri said reports suggesting that Mexico had declined to accept him as Nigeria’s ambassador were false and were being promoted by political opponents.
“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all,” he said.Politics He explained that the Mexican government is currently focused on hosting the World Cup alongside the United States, leaving little room to process the arrival of new diplomats. “You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup, along with the United States of America, and all of their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.
According to him, several Nigerian ambassadors-designate are also yet to resume at their respective postings for similar reasons.Executive Branch “Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he said. The ambassador-designate also accused members of the opposition of spreading misleading narratives about his appointment, insisting that such claims have no basis in reality. “The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he said.
Omokri expressed confidence that Nigeria continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with countries around the world and maintained that host nations would receive Nigerian envoys in due course. “The reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he added.
A young Nigerian girl who was trafficked to Cotonou, Benin Republice for prostitution has d!ed.
Sewuese passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Benue State after she was brought home.
Activist, Zege Orkwande, who has been facilitating the rescue of trafficked Benue girls said investigation is ongoing and those who trafficked her will face the full wrath of law.
“People are asking “who took Sewuese to Cotonou”. Trust my process,” he wrote.
“The people that trafficked/smuggled her to Cotonou for prostitution will sure face the law and serve in prison uniform.
“All information gathered. I’m waiting for her to be buried first. REST WELL.”
ECOWAS Parliament Moves to Strengthen MSMEs as Pillars of Regional Trade
Ambassador Omokri Amid Rejection Rumours Says World Cup Cause of his delayed resumption
Sad: Young Nigerian reportedly trafficked for commercial s*x dies after rescue
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