The Director of the Africa Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Oge Onubogu, has urged both the Nigerian and United States governments to adopt a holistic, governance-focused approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, rather than viewing it solely through a religious lens.
Onubogu spoke during a U.S. Congress hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Africa to examine former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list over alleged religious persecution.
She recommended deeper engagement with faith communities, the appointment of a capable Nigerian ambassador to Washington, and strengthened diplomatic and policy cooperation between both nations. According to her, efforts to address Nigeria’s insecurity should include “engaging with communities of all faiths, supporting moderate leaders, tying security assistance to governance reforms, and working more closely with state and local authorities,” as well as reviving a bipartisan U.S. Congressional Caucus on Nigeria.
Onubogu argued that U.S.–Nigeria relations remain complicated despite shared interests in counterterrorism and economic development. She warned that Nigeria’s persistent instability threatens both regional stability and global security, noting that “Nigeria’s instability stems from a key shortcoming. Despite 64 years of independence, it has yet to establish a national identity grounded in basic freedoms and dignity.”
Drawing from her upbringing in Jos and her family’s missionary background, she cautioned against a narrow narrative that frames Nigeria’s violence solely as religious persecution. “A narrow narrative that frames Nigeria’s security situation solely as the persecution of Christians oversimplifies the issue,” she told the committee. She stressed that insecurity in Nigeria is driven more by governance failures, historical grievances, and social tensions than by religion alone.
She described the current crisis as “a mix of religious extremism, banditry, criminality, resource competition, communal conflict, and separatist agitation,” warning that religion will continue to shape identity and politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onubogu also rejected claims by the Trump administration that Nigeria is permitting targeted killings of Christians, arguing that such claims ignore wider realities of extremist and criminal violence. She strongly cautioned against any form of U.S. military intervention, warning that such unilateral action “would likely endanger the very Christians it aims to protect” and deepen religious divisions.
She urged the U.S. to avoid “reactive quick-win actions” and instead support long-term governance reforms, peacebuilding, and community engagement.
The hearing, chaired by Rep. Chris Smith, also featured Nigerian Catholic Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and religious-freedom advocate Nina Shea, both of whom called for stronger U.S. measures to address what they described as targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The controversy followed Trump’s reinstatement of Nigeria on the CPC list on October 31, claiming systematic persecution of Christians and hinting at possible military options. The Nigerian government has firmly rejected the allegations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu insisted that Nigeria remains a democracy that respects and protects religious freedom, adding that describing the country “as religiously intolerant does not reflect its reality.”
Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 under Trump, but the designation was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after taking office.
