US Congressman moves to ban Nigeria from hiring lobbyists while on religious freedom blacklist
US Representative Barry Moore has introduced bill H.R. 10939 to prohibit compensated lobbying on behalf of the Nigerian government in America for as long as Nigeria remains designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations. The bill, referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would sanction any US lobbying firm that accepts payment to represent Nigeria while the CPC designation stands.
Moore alleges the Nigerian government has spent millions on Washington lobbyists to "whitewash the killings of Christians" while failing to stop the attacks. Nigeria was re-designated as a CPC by the US State Department in 2025 over alleged violations of religious freedom. If passed, the legislation would make it illegal for any person or firm in the US to receive payment to lobby for Nigeria until the designation is lifted.
The move signals growing congressional frustration with Nigeria's religious freedom record and could restrict the government's ability to influence US policy through paid advocacy. Nigeria's diplomatic engagement in Washington may face new constraints unless the underlying concerns prompting the CPC designation are addressed.
What diplomatic steps should Nigeria prioritize to address the religious freedom concerns driving this legislation?