The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment sponsored by Congressman Gregory Steube that would withhold all US assistance to Nigeria until the country meets specific conditions aimed at addressing violence and holding perpetrators accountable.
The amendment was adopted by a voice vote on Wednesday and added to the fiscal year 2027 State Department spending bill, which was later passed by the House with a 217-209 vote.
Following the approval, Steube announced on X that the amendment seeks to withhold 100% of US aid to Nigeria until the government takes effective action to stop violence against Christians. He argued that American taxpayers should not fund governments that fail to protect vulnerable communities.
The original version of the spending bill proposed withholding 50% of funds allocated to Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective steps to prevent violence, respond to attacks, and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Steube’s amendment increases the withholding threshold from 50% to 100% while keeping the certification requirements unchanged.
Speaking during debate on the House floor, the congressman said Nigeria has experienced persistent violence that, in his view, has not been adequately addressed by the government. He described the amendment as a measure to strengthen accountability, arguing that foreign aid should not be provided without meaningful action to improve security.
He also cited concerns about US government spending, questioning continued financial assistance to Nigeria as the United States faces a growing national debt.
Despite the House vote, the proposal has not yet become law. It must still be approved by the US Senate and signed by the President before it can take effect. Until then, there is no immediate change to US assistance for Nigeria.
The vote comes amid ongoing discussions over security and religious violence in Nigeria. Although tensions have existed between both countries in recent years, the United States and Nigeria continue to cooperate on security initiatives aimed at combating terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria.
