# 119-hr-7457: Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026

119-hr-7457, Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ); status introduced (as of 2026-06-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7457
- As of: 2026-06-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-7457
- Congress: 119
- Title: Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-02-10
- Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] (R-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 7
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-06-10

## Summary

**Would push the U.S. to hold Nigeria accountable for widespread religious persecution by enabling targeted sanctions, terrorism determinations, and focused humanitarian help.** The bill centers U.S. pressure on violent militias, blasphemy laws, and protection for displaced and persecuted religious minorities. - Persecuted communities: Directs U.S. efforts to press Nigeria to protect vulnerable religious minorities, prioritize persecuted Christians, and support safe voluntary returns and humanitarian aid for the 3.5 to 5 million internally displaced people. - Accountability and security: Would require the State and Treasury Secretaries to consider targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act and to determine whether specific Fulani militias meet criteria for Foreign Terrorist Organization designation. - Oversight and diplomacy: Mandates a comprehensive report within 90 days and annual updates to key congressional committees on U.S. actions, Nigeria’s repeal of blasphemy laws, prosecutions, security cooperation, and humanitarian outcomes.

## Cosponsors (7)

- Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2] (R-WV), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21] (R-FL), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26] (R-FL), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4] (R-MI), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4] (R-OK), 2026-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC), 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. James, John [R-MI-10] (R-MI), 2026-06-08T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Humanitarian aid and security support: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would direct U.S. humanitarian aid to Nigeria's middle belt. Aid would be co-funded by the Government of Nigeria and flow through trusted civil society and faith-based groups. The assistance would prioritize safe, voluntary returns of internally displaced persons and give prior…
- Sanctions and terrorist labels for militias: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would direct the Secretary of State and the Treasury to impose targeted sanctions. Sanctions could include visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act. If sanctions are not imposed, the agencies would have to explain why to Congress. The bill would also direct th…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-7148: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hres-719: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles Charlie James Kirk.
- 119-hr-5371: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
- 119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-7457 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7457)

## Related
- [119-hr-7148: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7148)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hres-719: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles Charlie James Kirk.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hres-719)
- [119-hr-5371: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Constructi…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5371)
- [119-hr-2102: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2102)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7457 (as of 2026-06-10).