“There is No Evidence USAID Funds Boko Haram” – US Ambassador

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has dismissed allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group, stating that there is no evidence to support such claims.

Speaking in Abuja late Wednesday after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum, Mills emphasized that no country condemns Boko Haram’s violence more strongly than the United States. He assured that if any evidence of such funding were to emerge, the US government would collaborate with Nigerian authorities to investigate it thoroughly.

The controversy began on February 13 when US Congressman Scott Perry accused USAID of financing terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram. Perry made these allegations during the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, which focused on alleged misappropriations of taxpayer funds.

In response, the Nigerian Senate has summoned National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the heads of the National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency to address the claims and discuss potential security implications.

Mills reaffirmed that the US has strict policies in place to prevent any aid funds from being diverted to terrorist groups. He noted that Boko Haram has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US since 2013, a classification that blocks the group from accessing US financial systems and enables legal action against its members. The ambassador stated that if any evidence of misappropriation were found, it would be immediately investigated in cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

He also addressed concerns about US assistance to Nigeria, clarifying that recent changes are not about cutting aid but ensuring its effectiveness. The US government has initiated a 90-day review period to evaluate its assistance programs, with exceptions for critical humanitarian aid, such as support for HIV patients, maternal and child nutrition, and aid for internally displaced persons.

During the meeting with the 36 state governors, Mills outlined the US embassy’s strategic priorities for strengthening US-Nigeria relations. These include improving the business environment to foster trade and investment, enhancing transparency and accountability to combat corruption, increasing engagement at the state and local levels, and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare programs supported by US aid.

Mills reiterated that the United States remains committed to working with Nigeria to address security challenges and support development efforts, particularly in healthcare, governance, and economic growth.