The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 states that 5 US lawmakers have proposed specific actions, such as asset freezes and visa bans, against people and organisations suspected of violating religious freedom in Nigeria.
US Congressman Rep. Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) revealed this via X on Tuesday adding that Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
If the proposed bill is passed, “individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria are likely to face repercussions from the Departments of State and Treasury, including asset freezes and visa bans.
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The specific names and individual listed for the visa ban sanctions include; Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano and national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and those described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria”.
Other congressmen who sponsored the proposed legislation alongside Riley Moore(bill author) are Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
The proposed legislation is titled: ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’.
The lawmakers argued that the US should use “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools to pressure the Government of Nigeria to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and religious persecution and protect Christian communities, clergy, and other targeted religious minorities”.
According to the proposed legislation, the secretary of state will have to decide whether some Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria are considered foreign terrorist organisations.
“The United States should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted civil society organizations, including faith-based organizations, in Nigeria’s middle belt states,” part of the bill reads.
“The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations, or report to Congress the reasons such sanctions have not been imposed, including—
“(A) Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria;
“(B) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor;
‘(C) Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and
“(D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.”
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Moore, author of the bill, has been one of the US politicians insistent on claims of systemic Christian persecution in Nigeria. He paid a visit to Nigeria in November 2025 over the claim.
Recall that Trump recognised Nigeria as a nation of special concern in November 2025, enabling the US executive branch to implement economic and diplomatic sanctions.
On Christmas Day 2025, Trump also approved coordinated operations against suspected extremists in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
