Nigeria Risks Losing U.S Economic and Security Aid Over Alleged Failure to Tackle Anti-Christian Vi%lence as President Trump Reportedly Orders Military Action

Nigeria could lose all economic and security assistance from the United States after the US House of Representatives approved a bill that would block funding unless the country shows progress in tackling anti-Christian v+olence.

The development comes just days after Frank Garcia, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, visited Abuja on his first official trip to Africa, describing his meetings with Nigerian security chiefs and senior government officials as “successful.”

The contrasting developments highlight a divide between the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria and Republican lawmakers pushing for tougher action over religious violence.

The House approved an amendment requiring the US Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria is making measurable progress in addressing anti-Christian violence before any US economic or security assistance can be released. The measure strengthens an earlier proposal that sought to withhold only half of the funding. It will now proceed to the Senate.

Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Africa subcommittee, backed the amendment, alleging that Nigerian authorities have “created an environment that facilitates mass v+olence against Christians and religious minorities.”

Republican Congressman Greg Steube, who sponsored the amendment, argued that releasing any funding would amount to “rewarding” Nigeria despite persistent insecurity.

“If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding,” Steube said.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied claims that Christians are being specifically targeted in the country’s security crisis.