A United States House subcommittee meets today, Thursday, November 12, to examine what Nigeria has done over the past year to protect Christians and curb violence in the Middle Belt.
The hearing, titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt,” is chaired by Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, who leads the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa. It begins at 11 a.m. Washington time (4 p.m. in Ghana and 5 p.m. in Nigeria) and is due to be streamed on YouTube.
What lawmakers will examine
According to Rep. Smith’s office, the session will look at violence by armed groups including Boko Haram, the Nigerian government’s steps to stop attacks and prosecute those responsible, and what further pressure the US could apply. Reports say two panels of witnesses, including US officials and policy experts, will testify.
It is Rep. Smith’s 14th hearing on Nigeria. It follows President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom on October 31, 2025, and a hearing Rep. Smith chaired on November 20, 2025.
Nigeria’s position
Nigeria’s government has repeatedly rejected claims of a Christian genocide. It says there is no state policy of religious persecution, and that armed groups kill both Christians and Muslims.
Charismata News will update this story after the hearing.
Sources: First Daily News, 10 November 2026; Naija News, 10 November 2026; Premium Times, 25 February 2026.
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