U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 4th congressional district, Chris Smith, has disclosed that the Obama administration prevented Nigeria from being officially recognized as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), despite the recommendation from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Since 2009, USCIRF has been urging action regarding Nigeria, where annually thousands of Christians and moderate Muslims face execution by Islamist extremists due to their faith.

During a floor debate on the USCIRF Reauthorization Act of 2026 (HR 1744), Smith highlighted advances made during the Trump administration.

“USCIRF recommended Nigeria for the CPC list in 2009 and has done so every year since. But the Obama Administration would not make the designation,” stated Smith.

“The first Trump Administration got it done in 2020, but the Biden Administration returned to the Democratic position of attributing this horrific modern martyrdom to climate change and tribal conflict.

“The second Trump Administration restored Nigeria to the CPC list last year. Through it all, USCIRF recommended CPC status, calling it like it is and pulling no punches,” asserted the senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“USCIRF is a genuinely independent force, a constructive influence on the State Department… USCIRF is important to millions of people of all faiths. I therefore ask all our colleagues to join us in reauthorising it for two more years,” Smith said.