Governance in Nigeria: Foundation for Securing Freedom of Religion or Belief

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Governance in Nigeria: Foundation for Securing Freedom of Religion or Belief 

May 5, 2025
2:00 PM-3:30 PM EDT
Capitol Hill

Register Here

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a hearing on freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.  

Despite government efforts to reduce attacks by non-state actors on Christians, Muslims and traditional religious practitioners, religious freedom conditions remain poor. Violence is a continuing threat to faith communities in the Northeast, Northwest, and Middle Belt parts of the country.  Additionally, Nigerian federal government and several state governments enforce blasphemy laws to prosecute and imprison individuals, including Christians, Muslims, and humanists, for allegedly insulting religion.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. In August 2024, USCIRF released a country update to examine Nigeria’s threats to religious freedom.  

Witnesses will discuss religious freedom conditions throughout the country, including violence targeting religious communities perpetrated by non-state actors. Witnesses will also discuss current U.S. policy as it relates to foreign assistance programming that advances religious freedom by addressing conflict and security in Nigeria. 

Opening Remarks

• Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Chair
• Meir Soloveichik, USCIRF Vice Chair

Panel I

• Frank R. Wolf, Former USCIRF Commissioner and U.S. Congressman
• Samah Norquist, Former Chief Advisor for International Religious Freedom to the Administrator of the USAID 

Panel II

• Jumo Ayandele, Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs 
• Zakaria Bulus, Fellow, University of Michigan, Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, Development and Humanitarian Assistance Expert and Program Implementer
• Shamsuddeen Magaji Bello, Ohio University Scholar, Muslim Founder of Kebbi Community Action 

Additional witnesses may be added.

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email [email protected].