The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would suspend all U.S. assistance to Nigeria until the government demonstrates effective action to prevent terrorism and hold perpetrators of violence accountable, escalating an earlier proposal to withhold only half of the aid.
The amendment, sponsored by Republican Representative Gregory Steube of Florida, was adopted by voice vote during consideration of a U.S. appropriations bill.
Under the measure, the U.S. Secretary of State would be required to certify that Nigeria has taken “effective steps” to prevent and respond to terrorism and violence before assistance could resume.
Speaking on the House floor, Steube said the stricter measure was necessary because, in his view, the Nigerian government had failed to adequately protect its citizens from escalating violence, particularly attacks affecting Christian communities.
The amendment still faces further legislative steps before becoming U.S. law, including approval by the Senate and President Donald Trump’s signature. Until then, it does not alter existing U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has battled Islamist insurgencies led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for more than a decade, while also contending with banditry, communal clashes and kidnappings in several regions.
Nigerian authorities have repeatedly said security operations against armed groups remain a top priority.
The United States has been a longstanding security and development partner for Nigeria, providing assistance in counterterrorism, humanitarian relief, health and governance programmes.
