The US House of Representatives has voted to condition all American assistance to Nigeria on the federal government’s ability to demonstrate measurable progress in tackling violence and protecting vulnerable communities, including Christians, in a move that could significantly reshape bilateral aid if it becomes law.
The provision was adopted on Wednesday during consideration of the fiscal 2027 State Department appropriations bill, which passed the House by 217 votes to 209, largely along party lines.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican congressman Gregory Steube strengthened an existing proposal by increasing the share of US assistance subject to the restriction from 50% to 100%. Under the amendment, all funding allocated to Nigeria would be withheld until the US secretary of state certifies that Abuja has taken effective steps to prevent violence, respond to attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.
The original version of the bill would have suspended half of US assistance pending such certification. Steube’s amendment retained the same conditions but extended them to all funding.
Announcing the outcome on X, Steube said the amendment was intended to ensure that American taxpayers did not support a government he accused of failing to halt attacks against Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100% of US 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.”
Another Republican lawmaker, Riley Moore, said the provision would ensure that future US assistance was tied to measurable progress in protecting Christians, safeguarding religious freedom and combating terrorism.
Moore argued that Christians in Nigeria had endured years of killings, kidnappings and attacks by extremist groups, adding that the proposal followed congressional inquiries and visits by US lawmakers examining religious violence in the country.
Addressing the House, Steube said withholding only half of the assistance would amount to rewarding government failure, arguing that US foreign aid should be linked to accountability.
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” he said.
He maintained that the amendment introduced no new conditions but strengthened existing requirements by ensuring that assistance would not continue without evidence of action against violence and religious persecution.
Republican supporters of the measure said future US aid should depend on demonstrable progress in protecting religious minorities, tackling terrorism and bringing perpetrators of violence to justice.
Steube argued that Christians and other religious minorities had faced killings, abductions, terrorism and sustained attacks by extremist groups operating with impunity.
“If these conditions are serious enough to justify withholding half of US assistance, they are serious enough to justify withholding all assistance until Nigeria meets them,” he said.
“This is not about punishing the Nigerian people. It is about demanding accountability from their government and ensuring that our foreign aid reflects American values.”
The proposal, however, remains some distance from becoming law. It must still be approved by the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump before taking effect. Until then, the House vote does not alter existing US assistance to Nigeria.
The move follows Trump’s 2025 redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing longstanding allegations of persecution against Christians and directing Congress to investigate the issue and make recommendations.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected accusations that Christians are being systematically targeted, arguing that extremist violence has affected both Christian and Muslim communities and should not be characterised as religious persecution alone.
Despite the disagreement over the characterisation of the conflict, Abuja and Washington have continued to deepen security cooperation in recent years, particularly in efforts to combat terrorist groups operating across northern Nigeria.
