By Anyi Kings
Subject: Religious Persecution in Nigeria and the Strategic Case for a UN-Supervised Biafra Referendum
Executive Summary:
Nigeria is experiencing a prolonged crisis of religious violence and structural discrimination that disproportionately affects Christian communities, particularly in the southeastern region historically known as Biafra. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, Nigeria’s political and security architecture has become increasingly aligned with Islamic legal and ideological systems, leaving minority Christian populations vulnerable to persecution, displacement, and disenfranchisement.
This briefing argues that a peaceful, internationally supervised referendum on Biafra self-determination represents a viable, lawful, and strategic pathway to mitigating religious persecution, stabilizing a volatile region, and advancing U.S. interests in democracy, religious freedom, and regional security.
Background: Nigeria’s Religious and Political Structure
Nigeria is a member state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and permits the institutional operation of Sharia law across much of its northern region. Sharia is inseparable from Islamic doctrine, and its expansion has become both a religious and political project. Within Nigeria’s current structure, attempts to limit or challenge Sharia are often framed as violations of Muslim religious freedom, effectively sidelining the rights of non-Muslim communities.
The legacy of the Sokoto Caliphate continues to shape Nigeria’s security institutions, federal power dynamics, and political hierarchy. This imbalance has enabled extremist and jihadist actors to operate with impunity, contributing to mass killings, church burnings, kidnappings, and forced displacement of Christian populations.
Impact on Biafra and Christian Communities
The Biafra region is demographically distinct:
Approximately 90% Christian
About 5% African Traditional Religion
Small minorities of Muslims and Jews
Despite this diversity, Biafrans face:
Systematic exclusion from top military, police, and security leadership
Political appointments conditioned on ideological loyalty to northern power structures
Electoral disenfranchisement in several non-Biafra states
Persistent stigmatization as religious and political outsiders
These conditions have rendered Christian communities largely defenseless under Nigeria’s centralized system of governance.
Why the Current Nigerian Framework Is Failing
Security responses to jihadist violence are inconsistent and often ineffective
Victims of religious persecution lack meaningful legal or political recourse
Federal authority is perceived as compromised by sectarian interests
Christian populations are losing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to protect them
This trajectory threatens not only religious freedom but also Nigeria’s long-term unity and regional stability.
The Strategic Case for an Independent Biafra
A sovereign Biafra would:
Establish constitutional protections for religious freedom
Create a localized security framework responsive to community threats
Provide a safe haven for persecuted religious minorities
Reduce sectarian pressure within Nigeria by enabling peaceful self-determination
From a U.S. strategic perspective, an independent Biafra would likely emerge as:
A pro-Western, democratic partner
A stabilizing force in the Gulf of Guinea
A hub for humanitarian protection and regional cooperation
A strong ally in counter-extremism efforts in West and Central Africa
U.S. Interests and Policy Alignment
Supporting a UN-recognized, internationally supervised referendum aligns with:
U.S. commitments to religious freedom (IRFA)
The principle of self-determination under international law
Regional security and counter-terrorism priorities
Expanded U.S. economic and diplomatic engagement in resource-rich regions
Biafra possesses substantial human capital, natural resources, and economic potential, making it a viable partner for bilateral trade, investment, and security cooperation.
Policy Recommendations
Encourage international dialogue on self-determination mechanisms in Nigeria
Support independent investigations into religious persecution and electoral disenfranchisemen
Advocate for a UN-supervised referendum on Biafra’s political future
Condition future security cooperation on measurable improvements in religious freedom protections
Conclusion
The status quo in Nigeria is unsustainable for millions of Christians and other religious minorities. A peaceful, democratic pathway to self-determination for Biafra offers a credible alternative to ongoing violence and instability. Timely U.S. engagement could play a decisive role in preventing further humanitarian deterioration while advancing American values and strategic interests.
Anyi Kings to Writes to US congressmen and US departments of state
February 7, 2026
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