A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu over an alleged failure to meet the conditions attached to U.S. security assistance to Nigeria.
Moore, who represents West Virginia’s 2nd District, urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider Nigeria’s eligibility during the administration of upcoming funding cycles.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Moore stated that the Nigerian government had not fulfilled the requirements set by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
“In my view, the Tinubu administration has failed to live up to the conditions the appropriations committee placed on security assistance. I urge @Sec_Rubio to take this into account in administering both FY26 and FY27 funding,” the lawmaker wrote.
The reference to FY26 and FY27 pertains to the United States’ fiscal years, which run from October 1 to September 30. These cycles determine the federal budget and the allocation of foreign assistance by Congress.
U.S. security support to Nigeria typically includes military training, hardware supply, intelligence cooperation, and counter-terrorism assistance. This aid is designed to bolster Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, banditry, and organized crime.
However, such assistance is strictly governed by U.S. law, often tied to “Leahy Law” provisions which require compliance with human rights standards, fiscal accountability, and demonstrable progress in tackling security threats.
Moore’s recent remarks follow his long-standing criticism of Nigeria’s security landscape. In November 2025, the lawmaker accused the Federal Government of failing to justify the billions of dollars in military aid received from Washington, citing the persistent killing of Christians in the country.
“My brothers and sisters in Christ are murdered for practicing their faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ,” Moore stated at the time, warning that prolonged inaction could force a shift in U.S. strategy.
He argued that despite years of American support, including the provision of advanced equipment and tactical training, the security crisis has persisted without a sufficient response from Nigerian authorities.
“If we do not address this and some terrorists take hold in Nigeria, we would have to address it one way or the other. I would like to do it cooperatively with Nigerians,” he added.
The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims that Nigeria’s security challenges constitute targeted religious persecution. Officials maintain that violence in the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven by complex socio-economic factors, land disputes, and cross-border criminality.
Earlier this year, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) defended its military cooperation with the United States, asserting that such partnerships do not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
In February, the military confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 U.S. personnel and specialized equipment. A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, noted that the deployment was part of a bilateral agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to combat evolving threats.
Despite these assurances, Moore’s call for a funding review signals heightened scrutiny from Capitol Hill, suggesting that future security cooperation may hinge on more stringent human rights audits and transparency.
