US lawmakers approve bill to withhold 100% of aid to Nigeria over worsening insecurity

The United States House of Representatives has approved a legislative amendment seeking to withhold 100 per cent of certain US financial assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government takes decisive steps to address insecurity and protect its citizens.

The amendment, sponsored by Representative Gregory Steube, was adopted through a voice vote on Wednesday, increasing the proposed withholding of US aid from the previously suggested 50 per cent to a complete 100 per cent.

According to the proposal, no affected funds will be released until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective measures to prevent and respond to violence, while also ensuring that those responsible for such attacks are held accountable.

The lawmaker argued that withholding only half of the assistance would amount to rewarding the Nigerian government despite what he described as its failure to fulfil its primary responsibility of protecting its citizens.

“I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria, from 50 percent to 100 percent, while keeping in place benchmarks that demand Nigeria take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country.

Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address,” Steube said

The amendment is part of broader US legislative efforts aimed at increasing pressure on the Nigerian government to improve security, protect vulnerable communities and tackle the persistent violence affecting different parts of the country.

If eventually signed into law, the measure would require Nigeria to meet the stipulated security conditions before the affected US assistance can be restored.