US House Votes to Withhold All Aid to Nigeria Over Christian Persecution

US House Votes to Withhold All Aid to

Nigeria Over Christian Persecution

The US House of Representatives has voted to withhold all aid to Nigeria until the country addresses Christian persecution, sparking controversy over the fate of American foreign assistance in Africa.

Congressman Gregory Steube sponsored the amendment, which was approved by a voice vote on Wednesday. The amendment adds a new condition to the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which the House later passed 217-209 largely along party lines.

Steube argued that Nigeria's government has failed to address the horrific wave of violence against Christians, and that withholding only half of the funding would amount to rewarding a government that fails to meet its basic obligations. He emphasized that with the national debt fast approaching $40 trillion, the US should not continue to send money to Nigeria without a guarantee that it will address Christian persecution.

Steube's amendment was added to the bill that originally proposed withholding 50% of funds appropriated for Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the country has taken effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable. The threshold was raised to 100% while leaving the certification conditions unchanged.

This move comes after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in 2025 over allegations of Christian persecution. A US missile strike on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day drew tension between both countries, but the two nations have since entered a security partnership targeting terrorist groups in the north.

The bill still needs to clear the Senate and be signed by the president before it can take effect. This means that Wednesday's vote does not immediately change US funding to Nigeria.

The vote is significant given the current state of Christian persecution in Nigeria. According to reports, hundreds of Christians have been killed in the country, while others have been abducted, tortured, and forced to flee their homes.

The amendment has been widely welcomed by Christian groups in the US, who see it as a crucial step in holding Nigeria's government accountable for its actions.

Steube's amendment is not without controversy, however. Some argue that the move will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, while others see it as a necessary step in addressing Christian persecution.

The situation remains unclear, with many anticipating a fierce debate in the Senate and presidential administration over the amendment.