According to a report by the Punch on Friday, July 17, 2026, the United States House of Representatives has approved measures seeking to make American assistance to Nigeria conditional on the Federal Government taking concrete steps to address violence and improve the protection of vulnerable communities, including Christians. The provision was adopted during the consideration of the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which passed the House by a vote of 217 to 209.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube increased the proposed restriction on U.S. assistance from 50 percent to 100 percent, meaning all allocated funds would be withheld until Nigeria satisfies the conditions outlined in the legislation. The bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria has taken effective action to prevent violence, protect affected communities, and ensure accountability for perpetrators before assistance can be released.
Steube argued that the stricter measure was necessary because, in his view, “Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address.” He maintained that U.S. financial support should be tied to accountability and measurable improvements in the country’s response to insecurity and religious violence.
Another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, said the proposed legislation is intended to ensure that future U.S. assistance supports efforts to protect religious freedom, combat terrorism, and strengthen accountability. He claimed the measure followed investigations into attacks against Christian communities and was designed to encourage meaningful action by Nigerian authorities.
Despite the House’s approval, the proposal has not yet become law. It must still be considered by the U.S. Senate and receive presidential approval before taking effect. The Federal Government of Nigeria has continued to reject allegations of Christian persecution, insisting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from attacks by terrorist and extremist groups, while security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States remains ongoing….See More