The United States of America has imposed new visa restrictions on Nigerians accused of undermining religious freedom, according to an announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a post on X on Wednesday, Rubio said the policy targets individuals who "knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support or carry out violations of religious freedom." His remarks followed a congressional roundtable in Washington where U.S. lawmakers met with religious freedom and foreign policy experts to examine rising violence in Nigeria and what they described as the "targeted persecution" of Christians.
Rubio noted that the restrictions apply not only to Nigerians but also to other governments or individuals involved in religious persecution. He framed the measure as part of Washington's broader response to the "atrocities and violence against Christians" both in Nigeria and globally.
"The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom," he wrote. "This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs."
The congressional roundtable formed part of a wider inquiry ordered by President Donald Trump.
Last month, Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, introduced a resolution calling for visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and organisations implicated in severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. Smith, who also attended Tuesday's session, identified the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as among the entities of concern.
He further recommended that the United States designate "Fulani-Ethnic Militias" active in Benue and Plateau states as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act.
In its response, MACBAN urged Congress to withdraw the proposed sanctions, arguing that the resolution conflated criminal gangs acting autonomously with law-abiding pastoralists who themselves suffer from Nigeria's worsening insecurity.
During the roundtable, Smith also accused the Nigerian government of complicity in the alleged "religious persecution."