A storm may be brewing for a dozen northern Nigerian states, which may be axed by Washington over alleged religious persecution, as key allegations levelled against them surface.
U.S. lawmakers and human rights advocates are calling for sanctions against these governors and officials accused of looking the other way — or even enforcing — laws that punish people for their faith.
At the heart of the issue are blasphemy laws and the use of Sharia-based legal systems that critics say have led to unjust prosecutions, mob violence, and systemic discrimination against religious minorities, especially Christians.
The proposed legislation, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, is gaining traction in the U.S. Congress.
Once passed, it will empower the Secretary of State to name and sanction Nigerian officials deemed complicit in religious oppression.
Sanctions could include visa bans, asset freezes, and public blocklisting.
The 12 states under scrutiny include Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe.
Each has faced criticism for either enforcing blasphemy laws or failing to protect citizens from religiously motivated violence.
This move follows years of international concern over attacks by extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, and the perceived failure of local governments to protect vulnerable communities.
The designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by President Donald Trump added fuel to the fire, signalling that the U.S. is no longer willing to look the other way.
For many Nigerians, especially those living in affected regions, this development is more than politics — it’s about justice, safety, and the hope that someone, somewhere, is paying attention.
Below is the table showing the alleged States, their Governors, and key allegations levelled against them:
