The United States House of Representatives has adopted an amendment that could withhold 100 per cent of certain American assistance meant for Nigeria’s central government until specified conditions relating to violence, victim protection and accountability are met.
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The amendment, sponsored by Republican Congressman Greg Steube of Florida, was approved by a voice vote on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during consideration of H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027.
The House subsequently passed the broader $47.32 billion spending bill by 217 votes to 209, largely along party lines.
Steube’s amendment increased the proposed withholding threshold from 50 per cent to 100 per cent while retaining the certification requirements contained in the original bill.
Announcing the passage of the amendment, Steube said it was intended to stop American assistance to Nigeria until the government addresses what he described as the killing and persecution of Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100% of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed,” the congressman wrote.
He argued that American taxpayers should not finance governments that, in his view, fail to protect citizens from abduction, torture and murder.
“No more wasteful foreign aid,” he added.
During debate on the House floor, Steube accused the Nigerian government of failing to respond adequately to the country’s continuing violence.
He maintained that withholding only half of the affected assistance would amount to rewarding a government that had failed to discharge a fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens.
“Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure,” he said, describing the amendment as an accountability measure rather than the introduction of new conditions.
Steube also questioned the continued allocation of American funds to Nigeria at a time when the United States’ national debt was approaching $40 trillion.
However, the amendment does not immediately terminate every form of American humanitarian, health or development assistance reaching Nigeria.
The underlying provision specifically applies to funds appropriated under Titles III and IV of the legislation and made available as assistance to Nigeria’s central government. It does not necessarily cover funding delivered directly to civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies or other non-governmental recipients.
Under the original version of Section 7042(b) of the bill, 50 per cent of the affected funds could not be obligated until the US Secretary of State certified to congressional appropriations committees that the Nigerian government was taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
The certification also requires Nigeria to prioritise resources for victims of violence, including internally displaced persons; actively facilitate the safe return, resettlement and reconstruction of affected communities; and allocate sufficient resources to meet those conditions.
Steube’s amendment changes the 50 per cent restriction to 100 per cent but leaves the certification standards unchanged.
The proposed legislation further directs that assistance available to Nigeria should, to the maximum extent practicable, be provided on a cost-matching basis.
The programmes to be supported include atrocities-prevention measures and early-warning systems, the advancement of religious freedom, and investigations and prosecutions relating to violence allegedly committed by Fulani militia groups, jihadist terrorist organisations and criminal gangs.
Other priorities include improving the effectiveness and accountability of police and security agencies responsible for protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian assistance, restoring essential services in conflict-affected communities and supporting disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts aimed at curbing illegal weapons trafficking.
Although Steube presented the amendment as a response to attacks against Christians, the text itself does not restrict the certification requirement to violence against members of a particular religion. It broadly requires effective action against violence and accountability for perpetrators.
The measure is not yet law and does not immediately alter existing United States funding arrangements with Nigeria.
H.R. 8595 must still be considered by the US Senate. Any differences between the House and Senate versions would have to be resolved before a final bill could be sent to President Donald Trump for assent.
The vote follows the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom and attacks against Christians.
It also comes amid increased security cooperation between both countries. On Christmas Day in 2025, the United States conducted strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Sokoto State in an operation approved by and coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
The Federal Government has repeatedly rejected claims that Nigeria is engaged in systematic religious persecution, maintaining that terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity have affected Christian and Muslim communities.
TheNigeriaLawyer had earlier reported that the House Appropriations Committee’s initial proposal contemplated withholding 50 per cent of affected assistance until Nigeria demonstrated measurable progress in tackling insecurity, protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
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