WASHINGTON: The United States House of Representatives has voted to approve an amendment that would withhold 100 per cent of US financial assistance to Nigeria until the Nigerian government meets specific conditions aimed at tackling violence and ensuring accountability for attacks, particularly against Christians.
The amendment, sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube of Florida, was adopted through a voice vote on Wednesday as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 State Department Appropriations Bill, which was later passed by the House in a narrow 217-209 vote.
Although the measure has cleared the House, it has not yet become law. It must still receive approval from the US Senate before being signed by President Donald Trump.
Reacting to the House’s decision, Steube announced on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the amendment was intended to ensure American taxpayers do not fund governments accused of failing to protect religious minorities.
He wrote: My amendment to withhold 100% of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed. American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered. No more wasteful foreign aid.
The original version of the spending bill proposed withholding 50 per cent of US assistance to Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective steps to prevent violence and prosecute those responsible.
Steube’s amendment increases the proposed restriction to 100 per cent, while leaving the certification requirements unchanged.
Addressing fellow lawmakers on the House floor, the congressman argued that Nigeria has experienced a prolonged wave of violence which, according to him, the government has failed to adequately address.
He insisted that providing foreign assistance without measurable progress sends the wrong message.
Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure, Steube declared, adding that with America’s national debt approaching $40 trillion, US taxpayers deserve greater accountability over how foreign aid is distributed.
Despite the House vote, the proposed aid restriction is not yet in effect.
Under the US legislative process, the measure must be reconciled with the Senate’s version of the appropriations bill, approved by both chambers, and signed into law by President Trump before any changes to US funding for Nigeria can take effect.
The House action comes amid growing scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation and religious freedom record.
President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in 2025 over allegations relating to religious persecution, particularly affecting Christian communities.
Relations between both countries also experienced diplomatic strain following a controversial US missile strike on Nigerian territory during Christmas Day operations in 2025.
However, despite those tensions, Nigeria and the United States have continued security cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism operations targeting extremist groups operating in northern Nigeria.
The latest House vote is expected to spark renewed debate over Nigeria’s security challenges, religious freedom, and the future of US-Nigeria diplomatic and development relations.
