United States lawmakers have introduced a sweeping bill that could impose visa bans and asset freezes on former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that the proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457), was introduced by Rep. Riley Moore and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith and several other Republican lawmakers. It calls for targeted sanctions against individuals and groups accused of severe violations of religious liberty, including Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and certain Fulani-ethnic militias.
ENigeria Newspaper confirms that if passed, the bill would require the US Departments of State and Treasury to either impose sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, or formally explain to Congress why such measures were not taken.
Beyond individual sanctions, the bill mandates the US Secretary of State to submit annual reports assessing Nigeria’s compliance with the International Religious Freedom Act. It also directs a review of the Nigerian government’s actions in preventing persecution, prosecuting offenders, repealing blasphemy laws, protecting vulnerable communities, and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons.
Lawmakers further urged the State Department to determine whether specific Fulani militias qualify for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs). The legislation also calls for scrutiny of US security assistance to Nigeria to ensure it does not inadvertently enable religious persecution.
Rep. Moore, announcing the bill on X, said the United States must stand with persecuted Christians. “For years, Christians in Nigeria have faced unspeakable violence… while the global community looked away,” he wrote, adding that his visit to Nigeria last November informed his position. He praised the Nigerian government’s cooperation with the Trump administration on security matters but insisted stronger accountability measures were necessary.
Rep. Chris Smith argued that Washington has a duty to ensure Nigeria confronts what he described as systemic religious violence. He cited estimates that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025 and criticised what he called the Nigerian government’s denial of persecution.
The bill follows President Donald Trump’s re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom issues — a status that allows the US executive branch to apply diplomatic and economic pressure.
In Nigeria, the proposal has triggered sharp reactions. The Kwankwassiya movement said it received the development “with shock” and is studying the implications before issuing a detailed response. The NNPP dismissed the move as politically motivated and described it as “a contrived action against an innocent man.”
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, argued that Kwankwaso has no record of religious extremism and pointed to his political history, including running a joint presidential ticket with Christian cleric Bishop Isaac Idahosa in 2023. The party also questioned why other northern governors who implemented Sharia law were not similarly named in the proposed sanctions.
The Presidency and the Minister of Information could not be reached for comment.
If enacted, the legislation would significantly expand congressional oversight of Nigeria’s religious freedom record and could reshape diplomatic and security relations between Washington and Abuja.
