A United States lawmaker has criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as failure to meet conditions attached to US security assistance to Nigeria.
Riley Moore, who represents West Virginia’s 2nd District, made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday, urging US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider the issue in future funding decisions.
“In my view, the Tinubu administration has failed to live up to the conditions the appropriations committee placed on security assistance. I urge @SecRubio to take this into account in administering both FY26 and FY27 funding,” he wrote.
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The reference to FY26 and FY27 relates to the United States fiscal years, which run from October 1 to September 30, covering the next budget cycles during which Congress determines allocations for foreign assistance.
Nigeria is a major recipient of US security support, which includes military training, equipment supply, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism assistance to address threats such as insurgency, banditry, and organized crime.
However, such support is subject to congressional approval and often tied to conditions, including compliance with human rights standards, accountability in the use of funds, and measurable progress in tackling insecurity.
Moore’s comments come amid ongoing concerns over insecurity in Nigeria. The lawmaker had previously criticized the federal government over violence affecting Christian communities and questioned the impact of years of US-backed military support.
He warned that continued instability could worsen the situation if not addressed decisively.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims that the country’s security challenges amount to targeted religious persecution, insisting that violence affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven by broader security issues.
Earlier this year, the defense headquarters said military cooperation with the United States does not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty. The military confirmed the deployment of about 100 US personnel and equipment in February, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen capacity against evolving threats.
Despite these assurances, Moore’s latest remarks signal possible increased scrutiny of US assistance to Nigeria as lawmakers assess compliance with conditions tied to future funding.
