H.R. 10939House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Nigerian Accountability Act

To prohibit compensated lobbying on behalf of the Nigerian government for the duration of its designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 3, 2026 at 6:41 AM UTC

The Nigerian Accountability Act bars anyone from being paid to lobby on behalf of the Nigerian government while Nigeria is officially labeled a "country of particular concern" for religious freedom. It adds this restriction to the existing Foreign Agents Registration Act and sets civil and criminal penalties for violations. The law applies to any compensated agents representing Nigeria and affects lobbyists, consulting firms, and others who might work for the Nigerian government.

Key Provisions

Prohibits paid lobbying for the Nigerian government during periods when Nigeria is designated a country of particular concern for religious freedom.
Violators can face civil fines up to $200,000, with the amount based on the seriousness of the breach.
Knowingly and corruptly violating the law can also result in up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The ban does not apply to individuals acting voluntarily and without compensation as agents of Nigeria.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 29, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 29, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

October 29, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 29, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10939

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 29, 2026

Mr. Moore of Alabama introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To prohibit compensated lobbying on behalf of the Nigerian government for the duration of its designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nigerian Accountability Act.

Lobbying prohibition for country of concern

(a)

In general

For the purposes of administering the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), no person may act, for compensation, as an agent of the government of Nigeria during any period in which Nigeria is designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom under section 402(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)(A)(ii)).

(b)

Penalties

(1)

Civil penalty

Whoever knowingly fails to comply with this Act; shall, upon proof of such knowing violation by a preponderance of the evidence, be subject to a civil fine of not more than $200,000, depending on the extent and gravity of the violation.

(2)

Criminal penalty

Whoever knowingly and corruptly fails to comply with any provision of this Act shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years or fined under title 18, United States Code, or both.

(c)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent an individual from acting, independently and without compensation, as an agent of the government of Nigeria.

(d)

Definition

(1)

The term government of Nigeria has the meaning given the term government of a foreign country defined in Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 611) as applied to the country Nigeria.

(2)

The term agent—

(A)

has the meaning given the term agent of a foreign principal as defined in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 611) as applied to the government of Nigeria; and

(B)

excludes the exemptions under such Act (22 U.S.C. 613).