Twelve northern Nigerian governors, senior judges, and traditional rulers may face U.S. sanctions following the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 in Congress.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz and backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, accuses officials in 12 northern states; Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe, of complicity in religious persecution through the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws.
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If passed, the legislation would impose penalties such as visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals deemed responsible for violations of religious freedom.
It marks a sharp escalation in U.S. scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record, following Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as “a country of particular concern.”
Nigerian authorities are yet to issue an official response to the proposed sanctions, which could heighten diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Washington.
