Members of the US House of Representatives have approved an amendment seeking to withhold 100 percent of US aid to Nigeria until the country takes effective steps to prevent violence and respond to worsening insecurity.
The amendment was proposed on Wednesday by Representative Gregory Steube of Florida’s 17th Congressional District and was adopted through a voice vote.
The move strengthens an earlier proposal introduced in April, which sought to withhold 50 percent of funds appropriated for Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective measures to prevent violence, respond to attacks, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Speaking in support of the amendment, Steube argued that withholding only half of the aid would amount to rewarding the Nigerian government despite what he described as its failure to protect its citizens.
He alleged that Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria continue to face violence, terrorism, abductions, killings, and attacks on churches by extremist groups operating with impunity.
According to him, if the conditions attached to the funding are serious enough to justify withholding half of the assistance, they should warrant suspending all of it until the required benchmarks are met.
Steube also criticised continued US financial assistance to Nigeria amid worsening insecurity, saying American taxpayers’ money should not support governments that fail to uphold religious freedom, combat terrorism, or protect vulnerable communities.
He added that the amendment would ensure US foreign aid is used as leverage to encourage accountability while reflecting American values.
The proposal comes amid evolving relations between both countries. In 2025, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of persecution of Christians. Despite subsequent tensions, including a US missile strike on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day, both nations later entered into a military partnership aimed at combating terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria.
