US Lawmaker Seeks Total Suspension of Aid to Nigeria Over Insecurity, Religious Violence

United States Congressman Gregory Steube has urged Congress to approve an amendment that would suspend all American assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government takes what he described as meaningful and effective action to combat insecurity, terrorism and the alleged persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.

Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives, Steube criticised the Nigerian government over its handling of the country’s security challenges, claiming it had failed to adequately protect its citizens from persistent violence.

“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” he said, alleging that churches had been destroyed, women and girls abducted, and extremist groups allowed to operate with little resistance.

The Republican lawmaker argued that if Congress was already considering withholding 50 per cent of US assistance over such concerns, there was sufficient justification to suspend the entire package.

“If these issues are serious enough to justify withholding half of the funding, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding,” Steube said, questioning why the United States should continue supporting a government he believes has failed in its responsibility to safeguard its people.

He stressed that American foreign aid should reflect the country’s values and should not be granted without accountability.

“The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly,” he said. “Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure.”

Steube maintained that the proposal was not intended to punish ordinary Nigerians but to compel the government to meet its obligations.

“This is not about punishing the Nigerian people,” he added. “It is about demanding accountability from their government.”

The congressman called on fellow lawmakers to support the amendment, insisting that all US assistance to Nigeria should remain suspended until the country meets the required security and governance benchmarks.