The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would suspend all American assistance to Nigeria unless the Federal Government meets specific conditions aimed at addressing violent attacks and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
The proposal was sponsored by Congressman Gregory Steube and adopted through a voice vote on Wednesday as part of the fiscal year 2027 State Department appropriations bill. The spending bill was later passed by the House with a 217-209 vote.
Reacting to the outcome, Steube announced the development on his X account, saying the amendment would block all US assistance to Nigeria until the government takes stronger action against violence targeting Christians.
“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!” he wrote.
Before the amendment was adopted, the bill proposed withholding 50 per cent of funds allocated to Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certified that the Nigerian government had taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Steube’s amendment increased the proposed funding restriction from 50 per cent to 100 per cent while retaining the same certification requirements.
Speaking during debate on the House floor, the Republican lawmaker argued that Nigeria’s authorities had failed to adequately respond to persistent violence.
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” he said, adding that withholding only half of the assistance would amount to rewarding a government that “fails to meet such a basic obligation.”
He stressed that the amendment does not introduce new conditions but instead strengthens the existing proposal.
“Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure,” Steube said.
The congressman also questioned continued US financial support for Nigeria at a time when America’s national debt is approaching $40 trillion.
Despite clearing the House, the proposal has not yet become law. It must still be approved by the US Senate and signed by President Donald Trump before it can take effect.
If enacted, the measure would require the US Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria has taken effective action to curb violence and prosecute those responsible before American assistance can be released.
The vote comes amid continuing concerns in Washington over religious violence in Nigeria. In 2025, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of persecution against Christians.
Although tensions between both countries later increased following a US missile strike on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day, Nigeria and the United States have since continued security cooperation, particularly in operations targeting terrorist groups in northern Nigeria.