H.R. 7457 — Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings on systemic religious persecution in Nigeria since 2009, including mass violence, kidnappings, and displacement by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Fulani militias, and others that has resulted in an estimated 50,000 to 125,000 Christian deaths, destruction of over 19,000 churches, and more than 9,500 deaths (mostly Christians) in massacres between May 2023 and May 2025. The findings assert that Fulani militia acts meet the statutory definition of terrorist activity under INA §212(a)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) and criteria for Foreign Terrorist Organization designation; note Nigeria's blasphemy laws with death penalties in 12 states, inadequate government response, 3.5 to 5 million internally displaced persons, and annual U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommendations (since 2009) to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

This section expresses the sense of Congress regarding religious freedom and security in Nigeria. Specifically, it (1) affirms President Trump's designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998; (2) criticizes the Nigerian government for failing to address religiously motivated violence and impunity by extremist actors, including Fulani-ethnic militias; (3) urges the use of U.S. diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools to press Nigeria to end impunity, protect Christian and other religious minorities, facilitate returns of internally displaced persons, repeal blasphemy laws, and ensure religious freedom; (4) supports security cooperation and conditioning of foreign assistance; (5) calls for humanitarian aid through faith-based and civil society organizations; (6) recommends targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, against specified individuals and entities (e.g., Fulani militias, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore); (7) directs the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as foreign terrorist organizations under INA §219 (8 U.S.C. 1189); (8) calls for investigations of militia supporters, technical assistance for disarmament, countermeasures to Chinese illegal mining, repeal of blasphemy and Sharia penalties, and engagement with international partners (e.g., France, Hungary, United Kingdom); and (9) expresses U.S. solidarity with persecuted religious minorities and Nigeria's potential stabilizing role in the Sahel if it addresses these issues.

This section requires the Secretary of State to submit to the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs/Foreign Relations and Appropriations, not later than 90 days after enactment and annually thereafter until Nigeria is no longer designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) and in accordance with U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommendations, a comprehensive report on U.S. efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. The report must include (1) an assessment of Nigeria's IRFA compliance, including actions to prevent persecution, prosecute perpetrators, repeal blasphemy laws, protect vulnerable communities, and facilitate safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs); (2) identification of individuals and entities sanctioned or under consideration for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act or the Entities of Particular Concern list; (3) a description of U.S.-Nigeria co-investments and collaborative humanitarian assistance efforts for Christians displaced by Fulani-ethnic militia attacks, including amounts, recipients, assistance types, and outcomes; (4) an evaluation of historical, ongoing, and planned U.S. security assistance to Nigeria and its risks of enabling religious persecution; (5) an assessment of Nigeria's steps to cease enforcement and repeal blasphemy and Sharia laws; (6) an assessment of IDP conditions, including safety, needs, and return prospects; (7) recommendations for additional executive or congressional actions to halt persecution and atrocities; and (8) an evaluation of Nigeria's steps to address persecution, dismantle extremist networks, prosecute attackers, reform security forces, and protect at-risk communities.