The United States house appropriations committee says it will hold a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
According to a statement on X, the meeting will include Mario Diaz-Balart, house appropriations committee vice chair and national security subcommittee chairman, who will be joined by fellow appropriators and members of the foreign affairs and financial services committees.
It will also include the US commission on international religious freedom and other experts.
“The roundtable will gather critical testimony to inform a comprehensive report — directed by President Trump — on the massacre of Nigerian Christians and the steps Congress can take to support the White House’s efforts to protect vulnerable faith communities worldwide,” the statement reads.
Congressman Riley Moore also shared a notice on X announcing the briefing. He added that Trump has demanded immediate action and this was a major step.
“President Trump asked me and @HouseAppropsGOP to investigate the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he wrote.
“As part of this investigation, the committee is hosting a roundtable to continue building on the work we’ve done so far.
“We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith.
“Honored to be speaking as an expert witness tomorrow on this Congressional roundtable with @HouseAppropsGOP to shed light on the severe persecution of Christians & religious freedom violations taking place in Nigeria.”
In November, President Bola Tinubu approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria joint working group as part of steps to deepen collaboration in tackling security challenges in the country.
The composition of the group was part of the agreement reached during the recent trip to Washington, DC, by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).
