By Passman Akpos
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has faulted the decision of the United States President, Donald Trump, to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), describing the move as misguided and based on misleading intelligence.
In a statement issued on Friday, the policy group said the decision was “a product of jaundiced and obtrusive data” supplied by organizations and interest groups with ulterior motives aimed at undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and international reputation.
According to IMPI, such a designation misrepresents the country’s genuine efforts to promote religious freedom, national cohesion, and interfaith harmony. The group maintained that Nigeria has made significant progress in addressing challenges related to religious tolerance and countering violent extremism.
“The classification of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is not only unjustified but also reflects a distorted understanding of our complex socio-political realities,” the statement read. “It is regrettable that the U.S. administration appears to have relied on skewed reports generated by groups with partisan or ideological interests.”
IMPI further urged the U.S. government to review its decision through a balanced engagement process that considers verifiable facts rather than selective narratives.
The organization also appealed to international partners to recognize Nigeria’s ongoing efforts toward peacebuilding and the protection of citizens’ rights, calling for “constructive partnership rather than punitive labeling.”
The U.S. government had recently announced Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern, citing alleged violations of religious freedoms and concerns over human rights practices — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters within Nigeria.
