Date: October 31, 2025
Tel: 202-682-4131
Email: richard@indefenseofchristians.org
Washington, DC – In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa, applauds today’s announcement by President Donald J. Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for the systematic and widespread persecution of Christians.
The announcement follows IDC’s high-level advocacy meeting at the White House on October 29, as part of a coalition of Christian advocacy organizations led by CPAC and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). IDC and its partners urged senior administration officials to take decisive action, including the immediate designation of Nigeria as a CPC.
IDC has long called for CPC designation in response to years of escalating violence targeting Nigeria’s Christian population at the hands of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and radicalized Fulani militants—enabled by the Nigerian government’s inaction and a persistent culture of impunity. The CPC designation unlocks powerful diplomatic and economic tools to pressure the Nigerian government to protect its vulnerable Christian population and bring perpetrators to justice.
“This is a long-overdue and necessary first step in holding Nigeria accountable as the deadliest place on earth for Christians,” said IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal. “The Trump Administration is sending a clear and principled message: the United States will not turn a blind eye to the persecution of Christians.”
“Having met at the White House just 48 hours ago to discuss this urgent concern, it is incredibly encouraging to see an action-oriented administration respond swiftly to the suffering of Christians,” Ghazal added.
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