US Senator hails Trump for designating Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’

US Senator Applauds Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria Over Religious Persecution

In a significant development on October 31, 2025, Texas Senator Ted Cruz publicly commended President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to escalating religious persecution, particularly targeting Christians.

This designation, announced by Trump via his Truth Social platform, was framed as a response to what he described as an “existential threat” facing Christianity in Nigeria. He accused radical Islamist groups of orchestrating widespread killings of Christians and emphasized that the United States could not remain passive in the face of such atrocities. Trump pledged that America would stand ready to protect Christian populations globally.

Senator Cruz, a long-time advocate for religious freedom and accountability in Nigeria, expressed deep gratitude for Trump’s decision. He highlighted his own legislative efforts, including the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which aims to institutionalize the designation and impose diplomatic consequences on Nigerian officials who enable or fail to prevent religious violence.

Cruz emphasized that the redesignation was a critical step toward holding Nigerian authorities accountable for policies that foster an environment conducive to attacks on Christians. He further stated that his bill would go beyond the designation by proposing sanctions against individuals enforcing blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria.

Cruz’s statement underscored his commitment to working with the administration and fellow lawmakers to advance the legislation and implement necessary measures. He praised Trump’s leadership, calling the decision a “great one” and a decisive move in the fight against religious persecution.

However, the Nigerian government responded with strong opposition. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, rejected the designation, arguing that it was based on inaccurate and misleading data. In an interview with CNN, Idris contended that the claims of a Christian genocide were unreflective of Nigeria’s complex security landscape. He stressed that both Christians and Muslims are victims of violence, particularly in the northern regions, and warned that such narratives could embolden criminal groups seeking to incite religious tensions.

This exchange highlights the ongoing international debate over religious freedom and human rights in Nigeria.

While American lawmakers like Cruz push for stronger accountability measures, Nigerian officials maintain that the situation is more nuanced and that external assessments often overlook the broader context of insecurity affecting diverse communities across the country.