US House Backs Bill to Halt All Aid to Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Killings

The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment seeking to suspend all US assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government is certified to have taken effective steps to prevent religious violence and hold perpetrators accountable.

The amendment, sponsored by Republican Congressman Greg Steube, strengthens an earlier provision in the underlying legislation that proposed withholding 50 per cent of US aid to Nigeria. Under the revised proposal, 100 per cent of the assistance would be withheld until the required certification is made by the US Secretary of State.

Announcing the outcome of the vote on his X account, Steube said American taxpayers should not finance governments that fail to protect vulnerable communities.

"My amendment to withhold 100% of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed," he wrote.

"American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered. No more wasteful foreign aid!"

Speaking during debate on the House floor, Steube accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately address persistent violence affecting Christian communities.

He argued that withholding only half of the proposed funding would amount to rewarding a government that had failed in what he described as one of its most fundamental responsibilities.

According to him, the amendment introduces no new conditions but simply increases the level of funding that would be withheld until Nigeria satisfies existing accountability requirements.

"Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure," he said.

Steube also linked the proposal to concerns over US government spending, questioning why Washington should continue providing financial assistance to Nigeria while the United States grapples with a rapidly rising national debt approaching $40 trillion.

Under the legislation, US funding would remain suspended until the Secretary of State certifies that Nigeria has taken effective measures to prevent violence, protect affected communities and ensure that those responsible for attacks are brought to justice.

Despite its passage in the House of Representatives, the proposal has not yet become law.

The measure must still be approved by the US Senate before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for assent. Until those legislative steps are completed, the vote has no immediate effect on existing US assistance to Nigeria.

The latest move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria's security situation in Washington.

In 2025, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of religious persecution targeting Christians.

Relations between both countries also experienced tension following a reported US missile strike on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day.

Despite those developments, Nigeria and the United States have continued security cooperation, particularly in joint efforts aimed at combating terrorist groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.