Akakan Umoh
United States lawmakers alleged that Nigerian officials have imbibed a culture of denial as hearing was conducted on Wednesday examining global threats to religious freedom, with Nigeria as a primary focus of concern.
The session, held by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, revisited longstanding allegations of persecution against Christians in Nigeria, claims that Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected.
Congressman Chris Smith, chairman of the subcommittee, opened the hearing with stark language, citing the organization Genocide Watch to describe Nigeria as “a killing field of defenceless Christians.”
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He commended the recent re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S. State Department, stating, “That wrong in our foreign policy has been righted with the President’s CPC designation. We commend and thank him for that action.”
While acknowledging Nigeria had taken “small steps” to improve conditions, Smith strongly criticized recent lobbying efforts by Nigerian entities aimed at influencing U.S. policy.
He specifically referenced a reported $9 million contract between Nigeria and the lobbying firm DCI Group, as well as a separate $120,000-per-month contract between a Nigerian security executive and the firm Valcour Global.
“They hire these firms; they come up with their very well-written talking points to say nothing to see here,” Smith argued, suggesting these efforts demonstrate “a culture of denial by Nigerian officials persists.”
The hearing also saw debate over the effectiveness of U.S. policy. Congressman Joaquin Castro questioned the impact of U.S. military strikes in Nigeria under the previous administration, accusing it of using the “front of ‘protecting Christians’” while simultaneously “cutting assistance that would actually address discrimination against religious communities.”
Lawmakers further discussed the practical consequences of Nigeria’s CPC status, with some characterizing it as a largely symbolic “name and shame” measure, while others argued it helps maintain critical attention on the situation in Nigeria.
