Overview. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, largest democracy, top oil producer, and one of its largest economies. It is the United States’ second-largest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa and has often ranked among the top 10 recipients of U.S. aid globally. Nigerians are the largest Africa-born population in the United States. Security, governance, and human rights concerns in the country, including with respect to religious freedom, have drawn congressional attention and sometimes pose challenges for U.S. engagement. This report provides an overview of a broad range of issues in Nigeria on which Members of Congress have engaged. People and Politics. Nigeria’s population of 250 million people is among the world’s largest and may surpass that of the United States by mid-century. The country is ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse. It is home to one of the world’s largest Christian populations and one of the largest Muslim populations. Violence against Christians in Nigeria has become a flashpoint in the U.S.-Nigeria relationship. Some people allege that a Christian “genocide” is occurring; others reject that narrative and counter that violence is widespread and the drivers are multifaceted. Nigeria has been a multiparty republic since 1999, after decades of military rule. Corruption and security force abuses persist, and local journalists and civic activists sometimes face threats and abuse. President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, following elections reportedly marred by extensive administrative shortcomings and alleged vote rigging. President Tinubu has drawn praise from investors and rating agencies with a series of far-reaching economic reforms, but he has faced public discontent over rising costs and declining purchasing power. Nigeria’s next general elections are scheduled for January 2027. Security. Nigeria faces serious security challenges on multiple fronts. In the northeast, conflict between Islamist insurgents and government forces has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced millions. In northwest and central Nigeria, farmer-herder disputes have fueled ethno-religious violence, bandit groups are a growing threat, and Islamist extremist activity is spreading. The country also struggles with separatist violence in the southeast, criminality in the oil-rich Niger Delta, and a nationwide kidnapping epidemic. The deterioration of security conditions in Nigeria over the past decade has strained the country’s military and police, and perpetrators of violence often evade arrest or prosecution. Security forces have been implicated in extensive abuses, spurring local distrust and sometimes complicating U.S. security cooperation. Economy. With a rapidly growing population, extensive oil and gas reserves, and significant prospects in the services, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors, Nigeria is a major African economic power with immense potential. The country also has one of the world’s largest populations living in extreme poverty and the largest number of people without access to electricity. A dearth of reliable electricity constrains economic activity. Crude oil and other mineral fuels have long dominated Nigerian exports to the United States. Dependence on petroleum exports makes Nigeria’s economy and state revenues highly vulnerable to price volatility. The new Dangote refinery, Africa’s largest crude processing facility, aims to end the country’s long-standing reliance on refined fuel imports, but in the near term, Nigeria continues to import some crude for the refinery due to insufficient domestic crude supply. Humanitarian Crisis. Conflict, related displacement, climate shocks, and inflation have spurred an unprecedented food security crisis. Over 3.7 million Nigerians are internally displaced, including 2.3 million in the northeast. An estimated 36 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity in 2026, amid a steep decline in U.S. and other donor assistance. U.S. Policy, Military Operations, and Assistance. U.S. policymakers have often characterized the U.S.-Nigeria relationship as one of the most important U.S. partnerships in Africa. Congressional interests vary: trade and investment opportunities are a focal point for some, while religious freedom, human rights abuses, terrorist activity, and humanitarian needs have also drawn congressional concern. Some Members of Congress have focused particular attention on reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria, as has the Trump Administration, which designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom in October 2025. President Trump directed military strikes in northwest Nigeria in December, targeting Islamic State (IS) elements in a stated effort to protect Christians in the country. The U.S. military has since conducted several operations against IS targets in the northeast in coordination with Nigerian forces. The Trump Administration has instituted immigration policies that restrict travel to the United States by Nigerian nationals, among others, including for study and business. As a major recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, Nigeria has been affected by the Administration’s foreign aid cuts, which have spurred congressional debate and court challenges. In December 2025, Nigeria signed a five-year global health cooperation agreement with the Trump Administration, under which the country is expected to gradually assume greater financial responsibility as the Administration reduces U.S. health assistance.
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