(Nigeria’s CPC status under the Trump administration signals a serious global warning. Urgent reforms are needed to protect religious minorities and restore trust internationally.)
When former United States President Donald Trump placed Nigeria on the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, it was more than a diplomatic formality it was a global alarm bell. Religious freedom violations in Nigeria had reached a level that could no longer be ignored.
The CPC designation did not categorize Nigeria as a terrorist nation, but it carried implications almost as serious. It meant that the U.S. Government concluded that Nigeria had either tolerated, overlooked, or failed to prevent systematic, severe, and continuous violations of religious rights. For a country that prides itself on democracy, equity, and multicultural coexistence, such a classification is deeply humiliating and damaging to its reputation.
Beyond symbolism, the CPC designation empowers the United States to apply sanctions, diplomatic constraints, and targeted pressures. This weakens confidence in Nigeria as a safe and reliable partner for investors, diplomatic allies, and strategic development partners.
“Nigeria is too influential and globally exposed to keep allowing religious intolerance to define her reputation.”
Nigeria cannot afford to dismiss this warning. The Tinubu administration must treat this as a point of correction and diplomatic recovery. Deliberate actions are required to restore confidence, particularly in protecting religious minorities. Nigeria is too important and globally exposed to allow narratives of religious intolerance to continue shaping its international image.
The world expects better from Africa’s largest democracy. Nigeria must demonstrate that it can protect citizens equally regardless of faith and enforce justice without bias. The path to restoring dignity begins with policy courage, sincerity of governance, and stronger institutional accountability.
Nigeria is far more than this negative picture and must rise above it.
Akinniran writes from Ondo State, Nigeria.