US flags Nigeria’s Sharia Laws in high‑level CPC hearing

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa opened a major hearing on 20 November 2025, focusing on Nigeria’s recent redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

The hearing, titled “President Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern CPC’: A Serious, Well‑Founded Wake-Up Call”, featured testimonies from Jonathan Pratt (Senior Bureau Official, African Affairs, U.S. State Department), Jacob McGee (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Democracy & Labor), Nina Shea (Hudson Institute), Bishop Wilfred Anagbe (Makurdi Diocese), and Oge Onubogu (CSIS).

During the session, Rep. Brad Bard pressed U.S. officials on whether the Nigerian government had taken sufficient responsibility for preventing attacks against religious communities, and if accountability measures had improved.

U.S. Jacob McGee said there has been high-level cooperation with Nigeria, but stressed that more needs to be done. “We are telling the Nigerian government to take responsibility for criminals and terrorists,” McGee said, highlighting continued attacks where no perpetrators have been brought to justice.

Rep. Bard also asked if the current administration would be less likely to grant a waiver compared to President Trump’s approach, and whether withholding a waiver could apply pressure on the Nigerian government to curb religious persecution.

In response, McGee said plans are underway to use all available tools, including waivers if necessary, but emphasized that a goal is to draw attention to Sharia laws still enforced in 12 northern states which still includes the death penalty as punishments for some crimes.

McGee stressed that conversations with Nigeria occur at all levels of government. “We are telling them to take actual actions and not just talk.”

The CPC designation allows the U.S. to impose sanctions, restrict aid, or take other actions against Nigerian officials, though waivers can be granted to maintain strategic or security cooperation.

McGee said waivers may still be considered for some programs, but priority remains on pressuring Nigeria to reform Sharia practices and uphold religious freedom.