The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has raised fresh concerns over attacks on religious communities in Nigeria, with its newly elected chairman, Asif Mahmood, naming the country as his top priority.

Mahmood, speaking in an interview with OSV News, said the commission remained deeply concerned about violence linked to Islamic extremist groups, including Boko Haram, as well as conflicts between farmers and herders that have contributed to insecurity and displacement across parts of Nigeria.

He said the commission’s focus was on seeing tangible improvements, including the recovery of kidnapped victims and ensuring that Nigerians could worship safely without facing violence.

The USCIRF had previously called on the United States to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged systematic violations of religious freedom. Former US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria under the classification in 2025.

Mahmood also criticised the Nigerian government, accusing it of failing to adequately respond to attacks on religious communities by non-state actors.

He said USCIRF’s assessment was based on conditions faced by families and communities, including whether people could attend churches and other places of worship safely.

Meanwhile, Mahmood said the commission had resumed its work after securing a quorum, but urged the Trump administration to fill three outstanding commissioner vacancies and appoint an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

He stressed that USCIRF’s mandate covered people of all faiths facing religious repression and said its goal was to help anyone experiencing persecution because of their religion.