Yesterday, 20th November 2025, heavyweights in the United States Congress sat down in Washington DC to talk about Nigeria. The meeting was about President Donald Trump putting Nigeria back on a special ‘watch list’ called CPC – Country of Particular Concern. This list is for countries where the government is not protecting people’s right to practice their religion well enough.
The hearing convened by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa marked a pivotal moment in U.S-Nigeria relations. Titled ‘President Trump’s Re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC): A Serious, Well-Founded Wake-Up Call’ discussions at the meeting was centered around thousands of Christians that are being killed in Nigeria every year by Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and some Fulani herdsmen.
Present at the hearing were top Nigerian government delegation led by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Others members of the Nigerian delegation were Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Defense Intelligence, Lt. Gen. E. Undiendeye. A Catholic bishop from Benue State even flew to America to tell them how villages are burnt and people are chased from their farms.
For over three hours, the US lawmakers grappled with evidence of over 52,000 Christian deaths since 2009, 89% of global Christian martyrdom occurring in Nigeria, and Trump's fiery rhetoric threatening ‘fast, vicious’ military action against perpetrators in Nigeria.
While no American bombs have landed in Nigeria, the outcomes of yesterday’s extra-ordinary hearing like policy recommendations, calls for sanctions, and pledges for aid, ripple far beyond Capitol Hill, and will directly touch the lives of Nigeria's 220 million citizens. For everyday Nigerians, battered by insecurity and economic woes, these developments could mean bolstered security nets or tightened financial nooses, reshaping daily survival in profound ways.
So what did they decide on?
After hours of deliberation, below is the summary of what was arrived at the congressional hearing:
America will keep watching Nigeria very closely.
If things do not get better fast, some Nigerian government officials would have their American visas cancelled and their money in America frozen.
America wants to send more help to Nigeria, like training for soldiers, drones, and better information to fight the terrorists.
They also want Nigeria to change some laws in the North (like the Sharia blasphemy laws) that make Christians feel unsafe.
No sanctions started yesterday, but the warning is loud and clear.
How does this new development affect you?
The outcome of this hearing will affect most Nigerians in two broad ways; our safety and our pocket. Here’s how:
Safety in church, schools, on the road, and in the village: If Nigeria listens, cooperates, and works well with America, our soldiers and police can get better weapons, training, and information about where the bandits are hiding. That could mean:
Fewer kidnapping incidents on well-known dark spots like the Abuja-Kaduna road, Ilesa- Akure road, Benin-Auchi road etc.
End of school/rural communities abduction.
freedom to worship and the end of church shootings.
Farmers in Benue, Plateau and Southern Kaduna can go back to their farms without fear.
Foodstuff will become cheaper because more yam, corn, onions, pepper, beans, and rice will be harvested and reach the market faster and cheaper.
On the flipside, if the government ignores the warning, terrorists may become angry with ‘foreign interference’ and become more brazen in their attacks. We can only hope our leaders choose peace and cooperation.
2. Money in your pocket: Right now, while pre-existing economic challenges still lingers, Nigeria is experiencing improved development in its economy, and attracting global investors confidence
Read more: S&P Is More Optimistic About Nigeria, Here’s Why it Matters.
Here is how America’s decisions taken yesterday can make Nigerians' personal economy better or worse:
Desirable effects
More disposable income due to lowered food inflation.
Transport drivers will not have to pay ‘toll’ to gunmen, so transport fare can come down a little.
Overall improved security will boost investors' confidence in Nigeria, generating more jobs and more money in the pocket of the masses.
Undesirable effects
If sanctions kick in, many Nigerians with cross border businesses in the US will not be able to bring dollars into Nigeria easily. That can make the value of naira fall again.
Consumer goods, school fees, and hospital bills can jump higher if dollars become harder to source.
Foreign investors, especially American companies, may be scared to invest in Nigeria (defeating Nigeria’s new sovereign outlook by SP), so new jobs will be slow to come.
Simple truth
While some may argue that this American meeting is or is not the solution to the security challenges confronting Nigeria right now, it is a big alarm clock for our government; the ball is now in Aso Rock’s court.
The whole world is watching us now. This is our chance to get it right!