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U.S. House Moves to Cut Aid to Nigeria Over Religious Violence
In a significant move, the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a provision to halt all American aid to Nigeria unless the country addresses ongoing violence, especially against Christians. This decision forms part of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which now awaits further approval from the Senate and President Donald Trump.
Initially, the proposal aimed to withhold 50% of U.S. aid to Nigeria. However, an amendment put forward by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., increased the figure to 100% until the U.S. Secretary of State confirms Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding Christians and prosecuting those responsible for religious violence.
Rep. Steube expressed his satisfaction with the amendment’s passage, stating on X, “American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered.”
The legislation aims to pressure President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhance security in regions frequently targeted by armed groups, impacting Christian communities. According to Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.V., Christians in Nigeria have faced continuous violence with insufficient governmental protection.
“Christians in Nigeria continue to endure horrific violence, murder, and persecution,” Moore noted, emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to supporting persecuted Christians globally. The bill also seeks to ensure that foreign governments are held accountable and that U.S. taxpayer dollars serve national interests.
The bill’s enactment could significantly impact American aid, which supports various sectors in Nigeria, including healthcare, security, and development programs. In 2024, the U.S. allocated approximately $929 million to Nigeria, a figure reduced to $616 million in 2025, according to U.S. foreign aid data.
Nigeria’s Complex Security Challenges
Nigeria faces multiple security crises, from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the northeast to rampant criminal gangs in the northwest. The Middle Belt region has seen severe violence involving farmers, herders, and militias, leading to thousands of deaths over the last decade.
Christian organizations claim that Christians, especially in Plateau and Benue states, are disproportionately affected, with numerous attacks on churches and Christian villages. However, human rights organizations suggest a more nuanced picture, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from violence, although Christians have been specifically targeted due to their faith.
The Nigerian government, under Tinubu’s leadership, denies any government-backed persecution of Christians, asserting that violence impacts all Nigerians, irrespective of religion. Nigerian officials have emphasized their commitment to combating terrorism and advocating for religious tolerance.
This legislative move aligns with a broader shift under Trump’s administration, linking foreign aid to religious freedom issues. Moore highlighted that this proposal followed a congressional investigation into violence against Nigerian Christians, initiated at Trump’s behest.
Despite the bill’s intentions, critics warn that cutting U.S. aid could inadvertently harm ordinary Nigerians by weakening essential programs in health, security, and humanitarian assistance aimed at fighting extremism.
The legislative proposal has reignited international debate over the characterization of violence in Nigeria. While some describe the attacks on Christian communities as systematic persecution, researchers argue against oversimplifying Nigeria’s complex security situation into a single narrative.
The Senate must still pass its version of the bill, and any differences will need reconciliation before it can become law with Trump’s signature. Regardless of the outcome, the House’s decision underscores the growing importance of religious freedom issues in U.S. foreign policy concerning Nigeria.
© Christian Daily International
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
