US House bill calls to halt aid to Nigeria over anti-Christian violence

Sunday, 26 July 2026 violence geopolitics sectaniarism persecutions

www.house.gov

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by Cosimo Graziani

Washington (Fides News Agency) – The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that aims to halt US aid to Nigeria in the next fiscal year, justifying this measure as a response to anti-Christian violence in the African country.

The bill was approved in mid-July with a majority of 217 votes in favor and 209 against. The proposal calls for foreign governments and "bad actors to be held accountable for the persecution of people of faith" and proposes reducing assistance to Nigeria "until effective action is taken to protect Christian communities suffering from religious violence."
The proposal also lists the objectives of the measures it intends to introduce, namely, offering "support for religious freedom programs abroad and the protection of religious freedom for faith-based organizations engaged in cooperation."

The proposal to tie US financial aid to Nigeria to the situation of Christians in the country was spearheaded by two Republican congressmen: Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia and Representative Jeff Steube of Florida. Moore had long advocated cutting aid to Nigeria, arguing that such action is necessary to defend the country's Christian population. In recent months, he had repeatedly claimed that Christians in Nigeria are facing genocide and accused the federal government of failing to take adequate action against Fulani extremists. He also proposed a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Nigeria aimed at protecting Christian communities.

Moore initially proposed a 50% reduction in US assistance to Africa's most populous nation, while Steube introduced an amendment calling for a complete suspension of aid to Abuja. The House ultimately approved the amendment. Following the vote, Steube announced the bill's approval in a post on X: "American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured and murdered"

It should be noted that this is the first approval of a bill, and has not yet become law. For the 2027 federal budget to become legally binding, the bill must also be approved by the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump.

In February, the current US administration released a report describing Nigeria as the most dangerous country in the world for Christians. Following that report, Washington designated Nigeria a "Country of particular concern," a label rejected by the government in Abuja as well as by local and international organizations, which have stressed that violence in Nigeria affects Christians and members of other religions.

In recent months, the United States and Nigeria have continued to strengthen security cooperation. The US has deployed military personnel to the country, describing the move as support for the fight against several terrorist groups. The collaboration prompted expressions of appreciation from President Trump, as reflected in a letter he sent to the Nigerian government in recent weeks.
According to the authorities in Abuja, Trump also commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for its efforts to address the problems "afflicting Christian communities." Those statements appear to contrast with the House of Representatives vote, though they are unlikely to prevent the proposal's final approval.
(Fides News Agency, 26/7/2026)