AfriPulse
The US House Appropriations Committee has passed provisions in its annual State Department funding bill that impose stricter oversight and conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.
The measures are contained in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill passed by the committee on Wednesday.
The lawmakers cited President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s alleged failure to adequately address widespread violence against Christians, including attacks by Fulani ethnic militants and jihadist groups.
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Several commitments were made under Titles III and IV of the bill for 2027, including $6,890,170,000 for National Security Investment Programs, of which at least 15 per cent is earmarked for Africa; $870,000,000 for Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs; $119,152,000 for International Military Education and Training; and $1,664,204,000 for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.
The proposed legislation did not specify any exact funds committed to Nigeria.
Instead, it stipulates that 50 per cent of funds earmarked for Nigeria under the foreign assistance titles will be withheld until it is certified that the government is taking “effective steps” to curb religious violence.
It also demands that funds must support investigations and prosecutions of violence committed by Fulani militia groups.
It further states that the government must facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
The bill reads, “Of the funds appropriated under titles III and IV of this Act that are made available for assistance for the central Government of Nigeria, 50 per cent may not be obligated until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that such Government is—
“(A) taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable;
“(B) prioritizing resources to support victims of such violence, including internally displaced persons;
“(C) actively facilitating the safe return, resettlement, and reconstruction of communities impacted by the violence; and
“(D) allocating sufficient resources to address the conditions in subparagraphs (A) through (C).”
The proposed legislation further states that the Nigerian government will contribute a matching amount from its own budget for every dollar the US spends on programmes in the country.
The bill requires Congress’s approval and the presidential signature before it becomes legally binding and effective.
If approved, Nigeria will be placed under a special watchlist under Section 7015, requiring the US government to notify congressional committees at least 15 days in advance before any money is spent in the country.
This places Nigeria alongside Pakistan, Iraq, Mexico, Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela as countries requiring elevated congressional scrutiny of every American dollar spent within their borders.
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Source: DailyTrust | Read the Full Story…
