Senator Ted Cruz Praises Trump for Naming Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern
The Texas senator says the designation marks a critical step toward holding Nigerian officials accountable for Christian persecution and Islamist violence.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 1, 2025
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has praised President Donald Trump for officially designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing the ongoing persecution of Christians in the West African nation.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” Cruz said in a statement released following the announcement. “I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
The senator described the designation as “a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria.”
Cruz also revealed that his legislation would go further to target those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, emphasizing that such laws have been used to suppress freedom of belief.
“My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures,” he said.
Concluding his statement, Cruz commended President Trump for his stance, describing it as “a great decision” and a demonstration of “strong leadership.”
The Texas senator previously introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate to formally designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials found to have enabled Islamist jihadist violence or enforced blasphemy laws.
