The Chairman of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Congressman Chris Smith, has said the decision by the US government to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) was taken in good faith. He made this known during an interview on “Inside Sources” with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television on Sunday.
Smith said the designation was not meant to embarrass the Nigerian government but to push it to act more urgently against terrorism and violence affecting many parts of the country. The CPC status is given to countries accused of allowing severe violations of religious freedom or failing to adequately protect citizens from abuses. Nigeria had previously been placed on the CPC list in 2020 but was later removed. Its re-designation has renewed global discussion about the country’s worsening security situation.
During the interview, Smith urged President Bola Tinubu to act firmly and quickly to stop terrorists, bandits, and other violent groups responsible for the deaths of thousands of Nigerians over the years.
According to him, the suffering of Nigerians must be taken seriously, and the government should show that it is committed to protecting lives and property. He stressed that the US expects the Nigerian government to put the needs of its citizens first.
“My view is that he has to act; I’m not going to say the good, the bad and the ugly about Tinubu. The CPC designation was done in good faith,” he said. “And do it not for us; do it for your own people. They deserve better than looking the other way as all of this happens.”
Smith’s comments add to the growing pressure on the Tinubu administration to address insecurity more effectively. From the North-East to the North-West, armed groups have continued to carry out attacks, kidnappings, and mass killings. The Middle Belt has also seen repeated clashes between farmers and herders. In the South-East, violent groups and criminal gangs have contributed to instability, while the South-West has experienced increasing cases of kidnapping for ransom.
The US lawmaker also criticised Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, over a recent comment he made on national television. Tuggar reportedly argued that only a “few people” had been killed in the country due to insecurity.
Smith condemned the remark, saying the minister should speak honestly about the scale of violence and work toward solutions instead of minimizing the problem.
He challenged Tuggar to “tell the truth and combat evil,” noting that many communities across Nigeria have suffered devastating attacks, and their families deserve recognition and justice.
The CPC designation is part of the US International Religious Freedom Act. Countries that receive this label are considered to have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. In Nigeria’s case, critics say the government has failed to stop attacks by extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, and violent bandit groups in the North-West.
Human rights organisations have reported attacks that target both Christians and Muslims. Many mosques and churches have been destroyed, and worshippers have been killed or kidnapped. Several communities have accused the government of reacting slowly to intelligence warnings and failing to arrest attackers.
The US has repeatedly expressed concern over Nigeria’s human rights situation, highlighting religiously motivated violence, inadequate protection of minority groups, and weak law-enforcement systems.
Nigeria’s government has often rejected such designations, insisting that it is doing its best to solve security challenges. Officials frequently argue that the country is dealing with complex crises inherited from previous administrations and worsened by poverty, unemployment, and inadequate policing.
However, many Nigerians feel that the government has not done enough. Victims of attacks in Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue, and other states continue to call for justice, while communities displaced by violence struggle with hunger and fear.
Congressman Smith insisted that the CPC designation should be seen as a warning and an opportunity. According to him, Nigeria’s leaders must take strong steps to protect citizens and restore confidence in government institutions.
He pointed out that the US wants Nigeria to succeed, describing the country as one of the most important nations in Africa due to its size, population, and economic potential. He, however, warned that Nigeria cannot achieve its full potential if insecurity continues to undermine development.
Smith said the US is willing to work with Nigeria, but the Nigerian government must take the lead by confronting the groups responsible for killings and destruction.
President Tinubu has repeatedly promised to make security a top priority of his government. His administration has introduced several policy changes, including new appointments in the military and police, as well as increased investment in defence equipment.
But critics say the results on the ground remain slow and unclear. Many Nigerians still worry about travelling across states, and farmers in several regions are afraid to go to their farms.
