The United States House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has advanced a State Department funding bill that seeks to impose stricter conditions on security assistance to Nigeria, citing persistent violence affecting Christian communities.
The proposed legislation, introduced amid growing concern in Washington, reflects mounting pressure on the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address insecurity, particularly in the country’s Middle Belt region.
U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, a key proponent of the measure, accused Nigerian authorities of failing to curb what he described as escalating persecution. He pointed to continued attacks linked to ethnic militias, criminal gangs, and jihadist groups operating in affected areas.
“This bill takes serious steps to address this crisis,” Moore said, adding that the United States “will not turn a blind eye to the brutal persecution of our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Under the proposed framework, Nigeria would be required to demonstrate measurable progress in tackling violence, prosecuting offenders, and providing support for displaced communities before access to certain U.S. security assistance is granted.
The bill also assigns oversight responsibility to Marco Rubio, who would assess Nigeria’s compliance with the outlined conditions. In addition, it предусматриes enhanced congressional monitoring of how allocated funds are utilized.
While the legislation has cleared the committee stage, it must still secure full congressional approval before becoming law. If passed, analysts say it could significantly reshape U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation and intensify diplomatic pressure on Abuja over issues of insecurity and religious freedom.
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