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The US House Appropriations Committee has approved new provisions in its annual State Department funding bill aimed at imposing stricter conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.
Lawmakers cited concerns over the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of failing to adequately address violence against Christians, including attacks linked to Fulani militants and jihadist groups.
Under the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bill, the committee proposed:
- $6.89 billion for National Security Investment Programs (with at least 15% allocated to Africa)
- $870 million for Nonproliferation and Anti-terrorism Programs
- $119.15 million for International Military Education and Training
- $1.66 billion for Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
No specific amount was directly assigned to Nigeria.
The bill mandates that half of all US assistance to Nigeria will be withheld until the Secretary of State certifies that the government is:
- Taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence
- Holding perpetrators accountable
- Supporting victims, including internally displaced persons
- Enabling safe return and rebuilding of affected communities
- Allocating sufficient resources to address these issues
The legislation further requires that US funds support:
- Investigations and prosecutions of violence, including those involving Fulani militia groups
- Protection of civilians by security forces
- Humanitarian aid delivery
- Restoration of basic services in conflict-affected areas
- Disarmament and reintegration programs to tackle illegal weapons
Nigeria will be required to match US funding contributions for programs “to the maximum extent practicable,” ensuring shared responsibility in tackling insecurity and humanitarian challenges.
If passed into law, Nigeria would be placed on a special watchlist under Section 7015, requiring advance notification to Congress before any US funds are spent in the country.
This would place Nigeria alongside countries such as:
- Pakistan
- Iraq
- Mexico
- Ukraine
- Sudan
- Venezuela
The bill must still be approved by Congress and signed by the US President before it becomes legally binding.
Additionally, a detailed spending plan for Nigeria must be submitted within 180 days of enactment.
The move follows longstanding concerns about insecurity and religious violence in Nigeria. In November 2025, Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Committee member Riley Moore criticized the government’s handling of insecurity, stating:
“The Tinubu Administration is spending millions lobbying Congress while failing to adequately address the genocide Nigerian Christians face daily.”
The Federal Government has consistently denied claims of religious persecution and maintains that it is actively collaborating with the United States on security efforts.
