US HOUSE MOVES TO WITHHOLD ALL AID TO NIGERIA OVER INSECURITY The United States House of Representatives has taken a major step towards withholding 100 per cent of certain US assistance to Nigeria, escalating pressure on the Federal Government over persistent insecurity and allegations of religious persecution. The development followed the adoption of an amendment seeking to increase the proposed withholding threshold from 50 per cent to 100 per cent until Nigeria takes what US lawmakers consider effective and measurable steps to address violence and protect vulnerable communities.The amendment, championed by Republican Congressman Greg Steube, was adopted by a voice vote before the wider fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations bill reportedly passed the House by 217 votes to 209. Speaking in support of the measure, Steube accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately tackle terrorism and attacks on religious communities, particularly Christians. The move represents a significant escalation from an earlier proposal that sought to withhold 50 per cent of assistance to Nigeria. However, the House action does not necessarily mean that all US aid to Nigeria has immediately stopped. The legislation would still have to complete the US legislative process and take effect before its provisions become binding. If ultimately implemented, the measure could have significant implications for relations between Washington and Abuja, particularly in areas where Nigeria benefits from American assistance. Nigeria has battled multiple security crises for years, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West, deadly communal violence in the Middle Belt and other forms of criminality across the country. While some American lawmakers have increasingly framed parts of the crisis around attacks on Christians and religious freedom, Nigerian authorities have previously maintained that terrorism and insecurity affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines. The latest development could now intensify diplomatic pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate measurable progress in protecting lives, prosecuting perpetrators and restoring security to affected communities. For Nigeria, the message coming from Washington is becoming increasingly serious: failure to contain the country’s worsening security crisis could carry consequences beyond its borders.The big question now is whether the threat of losing US assistance will force a stronger response from Abuja — or trigger a fresh diplomatic confrontation between the two countries.
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