The bill, introduced on October 21, 2025, filed as H.R.5808 in the 119th Congress, was sponsored by Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman, representing Indiana, District 3, on the platform of the Republican Party.
The United States of America House of Representatives has introduced a bill titled “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” to deepen the country’s scrutiny on alleged genocide in Nigeria and hold Africa’s most populous country to account.
The bill, introduced on October 21, 2025, filed as H.R.5808 in the 119th Congress, was sponsored by Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman, representing Indiana, District 3, on the platform of the Republican Party.
According to the status of the bill as sighted on the U.S. Congress website on Thursday, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In Section 2(a) of the bill, the lawmakers said the aim of the legislation is, “The President shall impose the sanctions described in Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption) on the persons identified in the report required under subsection (b).”
In subsection (b)(1), the lawmakers stated, “Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report listing Nigerian persons who are: Federal officials or state governors who have, during the period specified in paragraph.
“Promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigerian blasphemy laws, including through public advocacy, legislative action, or executive enforcement directives; or
“Tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justifications to commit acts of violence, including persons designated as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)); or
“Specially designated global terrorists pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); or
“Judges, magistrates, prison officials, or other judicial or law enforcement authorities who have, during the period specified in paragraph (2), enforced blasphemy laws, including through prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, or other deprivation of liberty of individuals pursuant to such laws.”
The bill further stated that the period specified is beginning 10 years before the date of the enactment of the Act and ending on the date on which the report is submitted; and with respect to each subsequent such report, the period beginning on the date on which the previous such report was submitted and ending on the date on which the new report is submitted.
The legislation was introduced, leading to the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
The lawmaker stated, “In reports required under section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)(A)) and concurrent reviews required under section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 6442a(a)), the Secretary of State shall designate, for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom: the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC); and Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).”
