Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would center U.S. policy on confronting persistent religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. It creates criteria and actions aimed at protecting vulnerable religious communities and pressing for accountability and safe returns for displaced people.
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- Families and religious communities in Nigeria would see a U.S. focus on protection and accountability. The bill's findings cite an estimated 50,000 to 125,000 Christians killed from 2009 through 2025 and more than 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed.
- Accountability measures would include targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and possible designation of militia groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill names Fulani-ethnic militias and groups such as MACBAN and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and identifies individuals like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as potential targets.
- U.S. tools would span diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security measures plus technical counterterrorism support to disarm militias and disrupt extremist networks. It would also require annual reports to Congress on Nigeria's compliance with the International Religious Freedom Act, U.S. security assistance, sanctions status, humanitarian cooperation, and progress for the middle belt and internally displaced persons.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Moore (WV)
WV • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]
MI • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Cole
OK • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Moore (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 3/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov