US Congressman Proposes Ban on Nigerian Lobbying over Christian Persecution

In a move aimed at addressing the growing concern over Christian persecution in Nigeria, United States Congressman Barry Moore has proposed a bill that seeks to ban the Nigerian government from hiring lobbyists in the U.S. The bill, H.R. 10939, was introduced by Moore to stop the Nigerian government from employing lobbyists in the U.S. as long as Nigeria remains designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
According to Daily Post Nigeria, the move comes amidst growing international pressure on the Nigerian government to address the escalating violence against Christians in the country.
The bill, if passed, would significantly impact Nigeria’s ability to influence U.S. policy and decisions related to bilateral relations. The Nigerian government has not yet responded to the proposed legislation.
This is not the first time that a U.S. lawmaker has sought to sanction Nigeria over its poor human rights record. In 2021, Congressman Chris Smith introduced the Nigeria Human Rights and Diplomatic Solutions Act, which aimed to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of human rights abuses.
For Nigerian Christians, the proposed ban on lobbying in the U.S. is a welcome development, as it sends a strong message that the international community is taking notice of their plight. However, the effectiveness of the ban remains to be seen, and it is unclear whether it will lead to meaningful changes in Nigeria’s treatment of its Christian population.