US House Approves Amendment Seeking Full Suspension of Certain Aid to Nigeria

The United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment seeking to withhold 100 percent of certain United States assistance earmarked for Nigeria until the country takes concrete steps to address violence and improve the protection of its citizens.

The amendment, sponsored by Representative Gregory Steube, was adopted through a voice vote. It increases an earlier proposal that sought to withhold 50 percent of the specified assistance, raising the suspension to a full 100 percent.

Under the proposed measure, the United States Secretary of State would be required to certify that the Nigerian government has taken effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable before the affected funds can be released.

Speaking in support of the amendment, Representative Steube argued that withholding only half of the assistance would amount to rewarding the Nigerian government despite what he described as its failure to adequately protect its citizens. He maintained that the stricter measure would encourage greater accountability in tackling insecurity.

The amendment forms part of the United States legislative process and does not, by itself, make the measure law. It must still pass through the remaining legislative stages before any changes to US assistance for Nigeria can take effect.