The U.S. government is preparing to investigate the utilization of past aid provided to Nigeria and other nations.
This initiative follows President Donald Trump’s decision on January 20, 2025, to suspend all foreign aid for a period of 90 days, citing concerns over global instability and misalignment with U.S.
The suspension comes amid increasing demands for a thorough review of the health funds distributed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged during the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday that USAID has inadvertently funded terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is a jihadist organization operating primarily in northeastern Nigeria, with activities extending into Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali. The group has wreaked havoc in Northeast Nigeria for over 15 years, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands through frequent attacks on police, military personnel, and civilians.
“Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria confirmed that systems are in place to monitor the assistance previously provided by the U.S. government. The mission also condemned the ongoing violence and loss of life caused by Boko Haram in Nigeria.
“Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to help verify that U.S. assistance reaches intended recipients. The United States condemns the violence and blatant disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and the region.
“The Secretary of State designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013 to block the organization’s assets and fundraising efforts, prosecute individual members, and restrict their travel to the United States.
“The United States continues to work with Nigeria and regional partners to counter terrorism,” the post read.
