Ted Cruz, a United States senator has vowed to push legislation targeting the use of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, following Washington’s decision to place the country back on its list of nations accused of violating religious freedom.
The move comes after Donald Trump, U.S. president announced that Nigeria had been redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a label reserved for countries the U.S. says engage in or tolerate serious abuses of religious liberty.
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Cruz, a Republican representing Texas, said the step aligns with his long-standing campaign to defend Christians facing persecution around the world.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” Cruz said in a statement published on his official website. “I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
According to Cruz, the proposed bill will impose sanctions and accountability measures on Nigerian officials who support or enforce blasphemy or Sharia laws. “Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behaviour of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria,” he added.
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The remarks come amid renewed criticism of Nigeria’s record on religious freedom. Rights groups have long accused the country’s authorities of turning a blind eye to attacks against Christians in some northern states where Islamic law is practised alongside secular codes.
Trump, who made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” alleging that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by “radical Islamists.”
He said he had instructed some Republican lawmakers, including representatives Riley Moore of West Virginia and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, to investigate the killings and present a report to Congress.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The redesignation marks a sharp turn in U.S. policy. Nigeria was first added to the “Country of Particular Concern” list in 2020 under Trump’s administration but was removed a year later by his successor, Joe Biden — a move that drew criticism from religious advocacy groups.
