# What This Bill Does

This bill targets Nigeria's government and officials over religious freedom concerns, specifically focusing on blasphemy laws and religious violence. The bill requires the U.S. State Department to officially label Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations and to identify Nigerian government officials and judges who have promoted, enforced, or tolerated these blasphemy laws. Once identified, these individuals would face U.S. sanctions, which typically means freezing any assets they have in the United States and banning them from doing business with American companies or individuals.

The bill also requires the State Department to create a list within 90 days of any Nigerian federal officials, state governors, judges, magistrates, prison officials, or law enforcement authorities who have either pushed for blasphemy laws or enforced them against people accused of insulting religion. The list would cover actions going back ten years. Additionally, the bill designates two militant groups operating in Nigeria—Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa—as entities of particular concern for their role in religious violence. The State Department would need to update this list annually going forward.

**Who this affects:** Primarily Nigerian government officials and judges who could face U.S. sanctions and travel restrictions. It also signals U.S. disapproval of Nigeria's blasphemy laws, which criminalize speech or behavior deemed insulting to religion. For ordinary Nigerians, this could indirectly affect U.S.-Nigeria relations and potentially influence American foreign aid or diplomatic engagement. The bill includes a waiver option allowing the Secretary of State to skip the designation if Nigeria stops enforcing blasphemy laws and the militant groups stop operating there, giving Nigeria a path to avoid the sanctions.