The legislation, approved by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, ties future security support to measurable progress in addressing violence, particularly in regions affected by attacks on Christian communities.
U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, a key backer of the bill, accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to adequately respond to what he described as escalating violence, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The country has seen persistent clashes involving ethnic militias, criminal gangs, and jihadist groups.
“This bill takes serious steps to address this crisis,” Moore said, adding that the United States would not ignore the situation.
U.S.–Nigeria Military Aid and Security Cooperation Over the Years
U.S. security assistance has long supported Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), mainly through training, intelligence sharing, and limited military support.
The U.S.–Nigeria relationship is one of Washington’s most important in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Nigeria’s strategic role as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
Between FY2019 and FY2023, the U.S. provided about $5 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding, alongside roughly $500,000 under the Africa Military Education Program (AMEP) since FY2016 to strengthen Nigeria’s military institutions.
Under Donald Trump’s recent-term approach, U.S. policy toward Nigeria became more forceful, with heightened focus on insecurity and allegations of Christian persecution.
His administration combined pressure - warning of aid cuts and potential military action - with limited intelligence and counterterrorism coordination.
The relationship later shifted toward cooperation, with the U.S. supporting Nigerian-led operations through intelligence sharing, training, and advisory assistance rather than direct intervention.
However, engagement has become more cautious overall due to concerns over civilian harm, human rights, and accountability.
Some U.S. officials have framed aspects of it as religiously driven, contributing to a gradual shift toward conditional aid tied to civilian protection, governance reforms, and humanitarian support.
U.S. security assistance has long supported Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), mainly through training, intelligence sharing, and limited military support.
The U.S.–Nigeria relationship is one of Washington’s most important in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting Nigeria’s strategic role as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.
Between FY2019 and FY2023, the U.S. provided about $5 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding, alongside roughly $500,000 under the Africa Military Education Program (AMEP) since FY2016 to strengthen Nigeria’s military institutions.
Under Donald Trump’s recent-term approach, U.S. policy toward Nigeria became more forceful, with heightened focus on insecurity and allegations of Christian persecution.
His administration combined pressure - warning of aid cuts and potential military action - with limited intelligence and counterterrorism coordination.
The relationship later shifted toward cooperation, with the U.S. supporting Nigerian-led operations through intelligence sharing, training, and advisory assistance rather than direct intervention.
However, engagement has become more cautious overall due to concerns over civilian harm, human rights, and accountability.
Some U.S. officials have framed aspects of it as religiously driven, contributing to a gradual shift toward conditional aid tied to civilian protection, governance reforms, and humanitarian support.
Stricter conditions and deeper oversight
The proposed legislation sets out clear benchmarks Nigeria must meet before accessing U.S. security assistance.
These include effectively responding to violence, holding perpetrators accountable, prioritising resources for internally displaced persons, and facilitating their safe return to ancestral communities.
It also directs that U.S. support prioritise atrocity prevention, the advancement of religious freedom, prosecution of armed groups including Fulani militias, criminal gangs, and jihadist networks, as well as improved accountability for police and security forces.
Additional provisions emphasise humanitarian assistance and support for faith-based organisations operating in conflict-affected areas, alongside efforts to disarm armed groups.
Beyond the conditions, the bill introduces heightened oversight.
Nigeria would be added to a list of countries requiring enhanced monitoring, with the U.S. Secretary of State mandated to submit detailed plans outlining how every dollar of assistance is allocated and spent, subject to direct congressional review.
"The bill we passed out of committee also adds Nigeria to the list of countries requiring much higher levels of oversight. The Secretary is required to submit a plan for every dollar appropriated to Nigeria, and every dollar spent will have direct Congressional oversight." Rep Moore added.
The move signals a shift toward more conditional engagement between Washington and Abuja.
If enacted, it could reshape bilateral security cooperation, placing increased pressure on Nigeria to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing violence, protecting vulnerable communities, and restoring stability in affected regions.
The proposed legislation sets out clear benchmarks Nigeria must meet before accessing U.S. security assistance.
These include effectively responding to violence, holding perpetrators accountable, prioritising resources for internally displaced persons, and facilitating their safe return to ancestral communities.
It also directs that U.S. support prioritise atrocity prevention, the advancement of religious freedom, prosecution of armed groups including Fulani militias, criminal gangs, and jihadist networks, as well as improved accountability for police and security forces.
Additional provisions emphasise humanitarian assistance and support for faith-based organisations operating in conflict-affected areas, alongside efforts to disarm armed groups.
Beyond the conditions, the bill introduces heightened oversight.
Nigeria would be added to a list of countries requiring enhanced monitoring, with the U.S. Secretary of State mandated to submit detailed plans outlining how every dollar of assistance is allocated and spent, subject to direct congressional review.
"The bill we passed out of committee also adds Nigeria to the list of countries requiring much higher levels of oversight. The Secretary is required to submit a plan for every dollar appropriated to Nigeria, and every dollar spent will have direct Congressional oversight." Rep Moore added.
The move signals a shift toward more conditional engagement between Washington and Abuja.
If enacted, it could reshape bilateral security cooperation, placing increased pressure on Nigeria to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing violence, protecting vulnerable communities, and restoring stability in affected regions.
By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
