US Lawmakers Seek Suspension Of Aid To Nigeria Over Insecurity

The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment seeking to withhold all American assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government demonstrates concrete progress in tackling terrorism, religious violence and the persecution of vulnerable communities.

The amendment, sponsored by Representative Gregory Steube, who represents Florida’s 17th Congressional District, was adopted by lawmakers through a voice vote on Wednesday.

If eventually enacted into law, the proposal would increase the withholding of US assistance to Nigeria from the current threshold of 50 per cent to 100 per cent, pending certification by the US Secretary of State that Nigeria has taken effective steps to address insecurity and prosecute those responsible for violent attacks.

According to the proposed amendment, the restriction on assistance will remain in force 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 argued that continued US assistance should be tied to measurable improvements in Nigeria’s security situation and the protection of religious freedom.

Speaking in support of the amendment, the Republican lawmaker accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately address terrorism and attacks on Christians and other religious minorities.

“I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria, from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, while keeping in place benchmarks that demand Nigeria take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country,” he said.

Steube added, “Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address.

“For years, and especially in recent months, Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria have been subjected to violence and terrorism at the hands of extremists operating with impunity.”

He further alleged that Christian women and girls continued to suffer abduction, assault and killings, while churches and communities had been destroyed.

“Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed. Their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased,” he stated.

The congressman questioned the rationale behind continued American assistance to Nigeria despite what he described as the government’s inability to protect its citizens.

“If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding.

“The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly. Never should we allow their hard-earned tax dollars to be funnelled to corrupt regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom, fail to adequately confront terrorism, and fail to protect the innocent from persecution.

“So, why are we rewarding a government that fails to meet such a basic obligation?” Steube said.

The lawmaker also criticised continued foreign assistance to Nigeria at a time when the United States faces mounting fiscal challenges.

He argued that with America’s national debt approaching $40tn, public funds should instead be directed towards priorities that protect American interests and uphold the country’s values.

The amendment forms part of a broader legislative process and would still need to complete all required stages before becoming law.

Its passage in the House comes months after US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations relating to violence against Christians, a move that generated widespread debate in diplomatic and policy circles.

The latest proposal is expected to further shape discussions on US-Nigeria relations, particularly regarding security cooperation, human rights and future American assistance to Africa’s most populous nation.