US Okays 50% Cut in Nigeria Aid Over Christian Persecution

The United States House of Representatives has approved legislation that would reduce American assistance to Nigeria by 50 per cent over concerns about the country’s response to violence against Christian communities.

The measure is contained in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Bill, which was passed by the House on Wednesday. The bill provides a total discretionary budget of $47.32 billion, representing a reduction of $2.69 billion, or six per cent, from the 2026 fiscal year allocation.

Under the proposal, half of the assistance earmarked for Nigeria will remain on hold until the US Secretary of State confirms that the Nigerian government has taken measurable steps to protect Christians affected by religiously motivated attacks.

The accompanying committee report pointed to continued violence in Nigeria and referred to the Palm Sunday killings as one of the reasons for the decision. It also called on Nigerian authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for such attacks.

The provision was championed by Congressman Riley M. Moore, who said the action was intended to respond to the continued killing and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The bill also directs that part of the funding under the US Security Sector Programme and National Security account be used to address attacks linked to Fulani militias and worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where repeated killings and displacement have been recorded.

In addition, the House directed the Secretary of State to assess whether the Nigerian government is taking practical steps to help internally displaced persons safely return to their communities. The outcome of that assessment will form part of the requirements for the release of the withheld assistance.

The legislation also requires the US State Department to submit reports to Congress within 45 to 60 days detailing efforts to address violence against Christians and improve accountability for violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

To support those efforts, lawmakers approved an additional $2 million under the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account for atrocity prevention. Part of the funding will be used to address attacks blamed on Fulani militias in the Middle Belt.

The committee also encouraged stronger cooperation with Nigerian law enforcement agencies to improve professionalism, operational capacity and accountability at both federal and state levels as part of wider efforts to improve security.

The bill further directs the Secretary of State to examine the effect of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws on religious freedom in the annual International Religious Freedom Report.

According to the committee, the legislation reflects renewed attention to the persecution of Christians in different parts of the world, including Nigeria. It also requires the State Department to brief congressional appropriations committees within 45 days of the bill becoming law on how previous US foreign policy and assistance affected religious freedom.

The committee also directed that humanitarian assistance should continue to support vulnerable religious minorities, including victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. It encouraged programmes that help displaced people rebuild their lives and return to their communities.

The legislation also blocks funding for what it described as irresponsible migration programmes and withdraws funding for the US Agency for Global Media.

In the health sector, the bill supports the America First Global Health Strategy by reducing US funding in areas where partner countries are expected to assume greater financial responsibility.

It also allocates $6.75 billion to the Foreign Military Financing Programme while maintaining existing pro-life funding restrictions contained in the Helms, Kemp-Kasten, Siljander, Tiahrt and Hyde-Lantos amendments.

Following the passage of the bill, Congressman Moore welcomed the decision, saying the legislation ties US support for Nigeria to practical progress in protecting Christians, improving security, returning displaced people to their homes and strengthening accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Another lawmaker, Congressman Greg Steube, argued during debate that Nigeria has continued to experience widespread violence without an effective government response. He said withholding only half of the aid still leaves room for Nigeria to demonstrate improvement while ensuring greater accountability.

The bill will still require approval by the US Senate before it can proceed to the President for assent and become law.