A group of faith leaders has sent a letter to President Donald Trump thanking him for his recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Interim President Gary Hollingsworth was among the letter’s signers. The ERLC has long advocated a CPC designation for Nigeria.
Christians have been targeted in the West African nation in “horrifying numbers,” the letter says.
“We commend your (President Trump) recognition of the major threat and devastation facing Christians in Nigeria from radical Islamists and a government that has taken little action to protect them, as well as your clear-eyed statements placing all available Presidential actions on the table to ensure that action is taken soon,” it continues. “You saw the evidence, you listened to the cries of the persecuted, and you acted.”
A CPC designation against another country doesn’t require any U.S. action. It does, however, authorize the U.S. government to take further steps, such as sanctions and negotiations, to pressure the offending nation to protect religious freedoms.
Designating Nigeria as a CPC has been an ERLC policy priority for several years. The designation was applied briefly in 2020, but removed in 2021 by the incoming Biden administration.
ERLC actions in support of Nigerian Christians include:
- Backing a House resolution from New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) that called for the CPC label for Nigeria and sending letters the following year to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging for the designation.
- Support for a resolution from Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) that calls for recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right, expressing support for international religious freedom as a cornerstone of United States foreign policy and expressing concern over increased threats to and attacks on religious freedom around the world.
- Sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting immediate action on the issue.
- Awarding the ERLC’s annual John Leland Award, which is given to a person or group who has been “a courageous champion of religious liberty both in the United States and around the world,” to Congressman Smith in 2024 and this year, to the Christians of Nigeria.
- And most recently, supporting a resolution from Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) condemning the persecution of Nigerian Christians and thanking Trump for his action.
