When US Senator Ted Cruz rose on the Senate floor of the 119th US Congress in Washington earlier this month to introduce a Bill, S.2747—also known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025—Nigeria’s name appeared repeatedly, grimly, and prominently. The Texas Republican’s bill seeks to compel the United States government to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing what he described as “the world’s deadliest persecution of Christians.”

In an 11 September press release, the Republican senator for the State of Texas said he wants the bill to move forward “expeditiously.” The statement lays out the basis, stating, “Religious persecution and violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria is endemic, driven in significant part by Islamist jihadism and institutionalized sharia law in large parts of the country.”

The move reopens a fraught diplomatic conversation between Abuja and Washington, one that began over a decade ago when US policy first openly linked Nigeria’s security failings to religious persecution. Now, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump back in office, the political and security implications for Nigeria are far greater.

What Senator Ted Cruz’s Bill Says

Mr Cruz’s legislation—officially titled S.2747 – Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025—builds directly on House Resolution 594, a companion motion in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and which, as of 8 October 2025, is co-sponsored by 18 Republican Party lawmakers. Previously, House Resolution— H.Res.82—led by Congressman Chris Smith, explicitly names Nigeria:

“Whereas, in Nigeria—

(1) thousands of Christians are targeted and killed for th