September 9, 2025
Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To require the Secretary of State to designate the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, to impose certain sanctions, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Imposition of sanctions
(a) In general
The President shall impose the sanctions described in Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption) on the persons identified in the report required under subsection (b).
(b) Report required
(1) In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report listing Nigerian persons who are—
(A)
Federal officials or state governors who have, during the period specified in paragraph (2)—
(i)
promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigerian blasphemy laws, including through public advocacy, legislative action, or executive enforcement directives; or
(ii)
tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justifications to commit acts of violence, including persons designated as—
(I)
foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)); or
(II)
specially designated global terrorists pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); or
(B)
judges, magistrates, prison officials, or other judicial or law enforcement authorities who have, during the period specified in paragraph (2), enforced blasphemy laws, including through prosecution, conviction, imprisonment, or other deprivation of liberty of individuals pursuant to such laws.
(2) Period specified
The period specified in this paragraph is—
(A)
with respect to the first report required by paragraph (1), the period beginning 10 years before the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which the report is submitted; and
(B)
with respect to each subsequent such report, the period beginning on the date on which the previous such report was submitted and ending the date on which the new report is submitted.
(3) Form
The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex, if appropriate.
Sec. 3. Designations and amendments related to the International Religious Freedom Act
(a) In general
In reports required under section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)(A)) and concurrent reviews required under section 301(a) of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 6442a(a)), the Secretary of State shall designate, for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom—
(1)
the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC); and
(2)
Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC).
(b) Waiver authority
(1) CPC
The Secretary of State may waive the requirement to impose a designation required under subsection (a)(1) if the Secretary transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination that—
(A)
neither entity listed in subsection (a)(2) is currently operating in Nigeria; and
(B)
the Federal Government of Nigeria and all state governments in Nigeria are not currently enforcing blasphemy laws.
(2) EPC
The Secretary of State may waive the requirement to impose a designation required under subsection (a)(2) if the Secretary transmits to the appropriate committees a determination that the entity not being designated is not currently operating.
(c) Technical correction
Section 605(a)(1) of the of International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6473a) is amended by striking freedom religion
and inserting religious freedom
.
Sec. 4. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) Boko Haram
The term Boko Haram means Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad.
(3) ISIS-West Africa
The term ISIS-West Africa means the Islamic State West Africa Province.
(4) Nigerian blasphemy laws
The term Nigerian blasphemy laws refers to provisions in Nigeria’s criminal, penal, or Shari’a codes that criminalize expression, behavior, or belief perceived as insulting religion.
(5) Person
The term person means an individual or entity.