The United States House of Representatives has approved measures seeking to condition American assistance to Nigeria on demonstrable steps by the Federal Government to tackle violence and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The measures were adopted during consideration of the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which the House passed on Wednesday by 217-209 votes, largely along party lines.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube raised the proposed restriction on US assistance to Nigeria from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, meaning all funds allocated to the country would be withheld until the Federal Government meets specified conditions.
The original provision in the bill sought to block half of US funding for Nigeria until the Secretary of State certifies that the country has taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Steube’s amendment retained the conditions but increased the funding restriction.
