The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment seeking to suspend 100 per cent of US assistance to Nigeria until the country takes specific measures to address violence and protect vulnerable communities.
The amendment, sponsored by US Congressman Gregory Steube, was adopted by voice vote on Wednesday and attached to the fiscal year 2027 State Department spending bill, which was later passed by the House in a 217-209 vote largely along party lines.
Announcing the decision on X, Steube said his amendment would block all US aid to Nigeria until the government takes action to stop what he described as the persecution and killing of Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100% of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed,” he wrote.
“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 bill proposed withholding 50 per cent of funds allocated to Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Steube’s amendment increases the proposed withholding to 100 per cent while retaining the same certification requirements.
Speaking on the House floor, Steube accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately respond to violence in the country and argued that partial funding restrictions would not sufficiently address the issue.
“Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure,” he said.
The congressman maintained that the amendment does not introduce new conditions but strengthens existing accountability measures. He also questioned continued US financial support to Nigeria amid concerns over America’s growing national debt.
The measure, however, must still pass through the US Senate and receive presidential approval before it can become law. Wednesday’s vote therefore does not immediately alter US assistance to Nigeria.
The development follows the decision by President Donald Trump in 2025 to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of Christian persecution.
It also comes after diplomatic tensions following a reported US missile strike on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day. Both countries have since moved toward increased security cooperation aimed at tackling terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria.
