The United States House of Representatives has approved measures seeking to make future American assistance to Nigeria conditional on demonstrable efforts by the Federal Government to address violence and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The measures were adopted during consideration of the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which passed the House by a vote of 217 to 209.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube increased the proposed restriction on US assistance to Nigeria from 50 per cent to 100 per cent. Under the proposal, all funds allocated to Nigeria would be withheld until the US Secretary of State certifies that the country has taken effective steps to prevent violence, protect affected communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
The original provision in the bill proposed withholding half of US assistance until such conditions were met. Steube’s amendment retained the same conditions but expanded the restriction to cover all allocated assistance.
Announcing the passage of the amendment, Steube argued that American taxpayers should not fund governments that fail to adequately address attacks against religious communities.
Another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, said the measure was intended to ensure that future US support is linked to measurable progress in protecting religious freedom, combating terrorism and addressing violence against Christians and other vulnerable groups.
The lawmakers cited reports of killings, abductions and attacks carried out by extremist groups in parts of Nigeria, arguing that foreign aid should be tied to accountability and tangible improvements in security.
Speaking during the debate, Steube maintained that if the conditions attached to the legislation justified withholding half of the assistance, they also justified withholding the entire allocation until Nigeria met the required standards.
According to him, the proposal seeks to encourage stronger government action against violence while ensuring that American foreign assistance aligns with US policy objectives and values.
However, the measure has not yet become law. It must still be considered and approved by the US Senate before being sent to President Donald Trump for assent. As a result, the House vote does not immediately affect ongoing American assistance to Nigeria.
The development follows the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the Trump administration in 2025 under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing concerns over religious violence and the protection of Christian communities.
The Nigerian Government has consistently rejected allegations of targeted Christian persecution, maintaining that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks by terrorist and extremist groups operating in parts of the country.
Despite the concerns raised by some US lawmakers, Nigeria and the United States have continued to strengthen security cooperation, particularly in efforts aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism.
