The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to suspend aid to Nigeria due to the persecution of Christians

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would completely suspend financial aid to Nigeria until the country’s government takes effective measures to combat religiously motivated violence. According to Christian Today, the initiative was included in the appropriations bill for national security and State Department programs for fiscal year 2027.

Initially, the bill called for a 50% freeze on aid, but thanks to the efforts of Congressman Greg Stubie, the restrictions were increased to 100%. According to the sponsor of the amendment, American taxpayers should not fund governments that “turn a blind eye to the abductions, torture, and murders of Christians.” Lawmakers emphasize that this move is intended to increase pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improve the security situation in regions where Christian communities are subject to regular attacks.

If the bill is ultimately passed—which requires Senate approval and President Donald Trump’s signature—it could significantly affect the level of financial aid to Nigeria, which amounted to approximately $929 million in 2024. This move has already sparked debate among experts: while some human rights advocates welcome Washington’s tough stance, other analysts warn of risks to humanitarian and medical programs, as well as the fact that a simplistic interpretation of the conflict as purely religious may overlook the complex socioeconomic and ethnic factors underlying the region’s instability.

The Nigerian government, for its part, rejects accusations of bias, asserting that terrorist threats, including those posed by Boko Haram and ISIS, affect citizens of all faiths, and declares its commitment to protecting the rights of all the country’s residents.