Nigeria has received over $187 million in foreign assistance from the United States in 2026, even as American lawmakers move to introduce stricter conditions for future support to the country.
Fresh data published by the US Department of State on May 20, 2026, revealed that Nigeria received a total of $187,352,312 in aid during the period under review.
The report, released under the “US Foreign Assistance” database, showed that Nigeria emerged as the second-largest recipient of US assistance in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Ethiopia.
According to the figures, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) accounted for the overwhelming majority of the funding, disbursing over $186.7 million to Nigeria.
Other US agencies that contributed to the funding include the Department of State, Department of Defence, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and the Department of the Interior.
However, several major American agencies reportedly recorded zero disbursements to Nigeria during the period, including the Peace Corps, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
The latest funding update comes amid growing pressure from some US lawmakers demanding stricter oversight of aid to Nigeria.
Last month, the US House Appropriations Committee reportedly advanced proposals in the 2027 appropriations bill that could significantly affect future assistance to the country.
Under the proposal, up to 50 percent of future US aid to Nigeria could be withheld unless the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government is taking effective steps to tackle insecurity, protect vulnerable citizens and ensure accountability for violence across the country.
The proposed conditions would also tie future funding to improvements in counterterrorism operations, human rights protection and humanitarian response efforts.
Although the bill has not yet become law, analysts say the move reflects increasing concern in Washington over Nigeria’s worsening security situation and humanitarian challenges.
Some US lawmakers have particularly raised concerns about attacks affecting Christian communities and ongoing violence in parts of the country.
The Nigerian government, however, has repeatedly denied allegations of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects Nigerians across all religions and ethnic groups.
Federal authorities have also maintained that Nigeria continues to work closely with the United States and other international partners on security reforms and counterterrorism efforts.
The development comes at a time when Nigeria is battling multiple economic and security challenges, while also relying on international support in areas such as health, humanitarian aid, governance and development programmes.
Observers say the outcome of the proposed US aid conditions could have significant implications for future diplomatic and development cooperation between both countries.
Source: US Department of State Foreign Assistance Report
