US announces visa restriction for Nigerians linked with religious rights abuses

The United States has announced visa sanctions targeting Nigerians implicated in religious rights abuses.

The new policy, unveiled by Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary, empowers the State Department to deny entry to anyone found directing, funding, supporting, or carrying out violations of religious freedom.

In a post on X, Rubio said the U.S. government is taking “decisive action” in response to ongoing atrocities and violence directed at Christians and other religious groups.

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Rubio revealed that the State Department will now impose visa restrictions on anyone who “knowingly directs, authorizes, funds, supports, or carries out violations of religious freedom.”

According to him, the policy specifically covers Nigeria and any other country where government actors or private individuals are implicated in persecuting people for their religious beliefs.

The move positions Nigeria under renewed international scrutiny, following years of reports detailing attacks on Christian communities, sect-driven violence, and weak accountability mechanisms.

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Washington’s latest action signals both pressure and warning, especially to political leaders, security officials, and non-state actors accused of looking away or enabling such abuses.

Rubio emphasized that the decision reflects a broader U.S. commitment to defend vulnerable religious groups and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of where the violations occur.

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