A United States lawmaker, Barry Moore, has introduced a bill seeking to prevent the Nigerian government from paying lobbying firms to represent its interests in the country over allegations of Christian persecution.

The proposed legislation, H.R. 10939, seeks to prohibit individuals and firms in the US from receiving payments to lobby on behalf of Nigeria for as long as the country remains designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The proposal would impose sanctions on any US-based lobbying firm that accepts payment from the Nigerian government while the country retains its CPC status.

Moore accused the Nigerian government of spending millions of dollars on lobbyists in Washington to counter allegations of Christian persecution without doing enough to address the attacks.

“For too long, the Nigerian government has paid high-priced lobbyists in Washington to cover up the persecution of Christians while doing little to stop it. This bill will end that,” he said.

If approved, the legislation would make it unlawful for any person or firm in the US to receive payment for lobbying on behalf of Nigeria until the country’s CPC designation is lifted.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for further consideration.

Nigeria was redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern by the US Department of State in 2025 over alleged violations of religious freedom.

The proposed measure comes amid growing concern among some US lawmakers over reports of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.