US House Approves Amendment to Block Foreign Aid to Nigeria Over Religious Freedom Concerns

The United States House of Representatives has approved a legislative measure that seeks to condition all American foreign assistance to Nigeria on the Nigerian government taking clear and measurable steps to curb religious violence and protect vulnerable communities.

The restriction was adopted as part of the fiscal year 2027 State Department spending bill, which passed the House in a tight 217–209 vote. The key provision, introduced as an amendment by Republican Representative Gregory Steube, increased the proposed aid restriction from an initial 50 percent to a complete 100 percent freeze. Under the amended terms, all allocated U.S. funding to Nigeria would be withheld until the U.S. Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government is actively responding to violence, protecting religious minorities, and prosecuting perpetrators.

Proponents of the amendment argued that American taxpayers should not fund governments that fail to prevent systemic violence, abductions, and killings targeting religious groups, specifically pointing to attacks on Christian communities by extremist groups. Lawmakers supporting the measure emphasized that future financial assistance must be tied to demonstrable progress in combating terrorism and defending religious freedom.

Despite the House approval, the measure does not result in an immediate freeze of ongoing American assistance. To become law, the provisions must still clear the U.S. Senate and receive presidential approval.

The legislative move follows the late 2025 redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. In response to international scrutiny, the Nigerian government has consistently denied allegations of targeted religious persecution, maintaining that both Christian and Muslim citizens are victims of widespread terrorist and extremist violence. Security and counter-terrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States continues to remain active in the region.