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Country Of Particular Concern: What It Means For Nigeria

Published

2 months ago

November 3, 2025

…Economic sanctions, international isolation, ban on IMF, World Bank loans, others

…Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, others designated entities of Particular Concern in 2023

The designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” on religious tolerance by the government of the United States of America could come with a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions which could also engineer international isolations, investigations by the Nigerian Tribune have confirmed.

President of the United States, Donald Trump, had on Friday, announced his decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” on account of alleged genocide against Christians as he claimed that 3,100 Christians have been killed in the country.

Information available on the website of the US State Department, www.state.gov, indicated that the punishment due to countries so designated includes: diplomatic sanctions and public condemnation by the United States government, economic restrictions, including reductions or limitations on security aid and development assistance, opposition to international loans from the IMF and others as well as international isolation and other potential economic measures.

According to findings, specific economic sanctions that could be imposed by the US on such countries include limiting or withholding economic assistance; Imposing trade restrictions or sanctions; restricting export licenses and opposing international loans or assistance from institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Other potential punishment the country could suffer include travel restrictions, which could mean that citizens of the country may be made to face travel restrictions to the US or other countries, even as the country stands to withstand damage to its credibility and integrity at the international stage.

Reports on the State Department website indicated that the CPC came into force through the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA Act) of 1998, which requires the President to “review the status of religious freedom in every country in the world and designate each country the government of which has engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).”

The Act defines particularly severe violations as “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom,” including violations such as: (1) torture; (2) prolonged detention without charges; (3) forced disappearance; or (4) other flagrant denial of life, liberty, or security of persons.”

An adjunct to that is the Wolf Act, 2016, which requires the President to “designate each country that engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom during the previous year, but does not meet all the criteria for being designated as a CPC to a “Special Watch List” (SWL).”

The same Wolf Act also allows the President of the United States to designate some organisations as “Entities of Particular Concern,” a classification that encompasses non-state actors who are seen to have engaged in religious freedom violations. The Act defines non-state actors in this category to mean “a non-sovereign entity that (A) exercises significant political power and territorial control; (B) is outside the control of a sovereign government; and (C) often employs violence in pursuit of its objectives.”

Available records indicated that the last time the US government designated countries as CPC was December 29, 2023, and the countries on the list as of that date include Burma, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

In the same vein, the US had designated some countries on the Special Watch List on December 29, 2023. These countries include Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam.

Also in line with Wolf Act, 2016, the United States has designated some non-state actors as “Entities of Particular Concern” on December 29, 2023 and these include al Qa’ida affiliate Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS-Sahel (formerly known as ISIS-Greater Sahara), ISIS-West Africa, al Qa’ida affiliate Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban.

It was also confirmed that despite the classification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one of the Countries of Particular Concern, the US still maintains what was described as a complex relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia.

The relationship is said to be driven by strategic interests in energy security, with Saudi Arabia being a key player in the oil sector and regional stability in the Middle East.

It was also gathered that classification of a territory as Country of Particular Concern could enable the United States to leverage diplomatic measures to promote reforms in religious harmony, counterterrorism, and human rights.

Despite the declaration as a Country of Particular Concern, the United States may utilise diplomacy, sanctions and economic incentives to encourage improvements in human rights and religious freedom in such territories, reports stated.
(TRIBUNE)

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

1 hour ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

1 hour ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

16 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.