Aug 9, 2024

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Nigeria

Washington, DC — The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:

Nigeria Country Update - This report provides an update on continuing systematic and ongoing restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria. Several states in Nigeria currently enforce blasphemy laws to prosecute members of faith-based groups including Christians, Muslims and secular humanists. The government also continues to tolerate egregious violence against religious groups by non-state actors such as the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP), JAS/Boko Haram, and other extremist groups. This violence affects large numbers of Christians and Muslims in several states across Nigeria and targets both religious sites and individuals from religious communities.

In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended 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.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]