Nigeria risks losing out on fresh $1.4bn US aid over ‘Christian persecution’

Nigeria faces the potential exclusion from a $1.4 billion U.S. health and humanitarian assistance package if the Federal Government does not take concrete steps to combat violence against Christians. The U.S. has tied this funding, part of a broader $2.1 billion, five-year commitment under the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), to measurable actions addressing the issue.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on December 20, 2025, between the U.S. Department of State and the Nigerian government, aims to expand preventative and curative services for major health issues like HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health. A significant portion of the U.S. funding is designated for Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which serve over 30 percent of the population.

However, the agreement includes strict conditions. The MOU explicitly states that the assistance is contingent on Nigeria prioritizing the protection of Christian populations from violence and ensuring "significant dedicated funding" for Christian health facilities. The Trump administration expects Nigeria to demonstrate progress in combating extremist religious violence against vulnerable Christian communities. This conditionality has been echoed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which recently voted to link Nigeria's aid to verifiable steps on tackling Christian persecution, including facilitating the return of internally displaced persons and protecting Christians in the Middle Belt region.

Beyond the health package, the U.S. has also allocated $538 million for humanitarian assistance through organizations like Samaritan's Purse and a World Vision–Compassion International consortium, aiming to reach 7 million people across 16 humanitarian crises. This emphasis on faith-based initiatives underscores the U.S. administration's approach to foreign aid, linking it to specific social and religious protection criteria.