The United States House of Representatives has passed an appropriations bill that slashes aid to Nigeria by 50 percent, citing the federal government’s inability to safeguard Christian communities from religiously driven violence. This funding reduction will persist until the U.S. Secretary of State confirms that Abuja has implemented verifiable measures to protect these groups and ensure the safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes.
The legislation, which is part of a broader $47.32 billion spending package, highlights the ongoing unrest in Nigeria, specifically referencing massacres and the activities of ethnic militias in the Middle Belt region. Congressman Riley M. Moore, who championed these conditions, argued that the move serves as a necessary stand against the murder and persecution of Christians, which he believes the international community has largely ignored.
Beyond the aid reduction, the bill allocates $2 million specifically to combat violence involving Fulani militias and improve the accountability and professional standards of Nigerian law enforcement. The State Department is now required to provide regular reports to Congress on progress toward religious freedom and the prosecution of those responsible for violence. While some lawmakers like Representative Greg Steube suggested the 50 percent cut remains too lenient, the measure emphasizes a push for greater accountability and the protection of vulnerable religious minorities under the broader framework of American foreign policy.
