USAID Denies Funding Boko Haram in Nigeria

US Ambassador Clarifies USAID’s Role in Nigeria

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., has unequivocally stated that there is no evidence supporting allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded Boko Haram or any terrorist organization in Nigeria. This assertion comes in response to claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry on February 13, 2025, accusing USAID of financing terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.

Ambassador Mills emphasized that the U.S. has stringent policies and procedures to ensure that assistance provided through USAID or other agencies is not diverted to terrorist entities. He stated, “There is absolutely no evidence of such diversion, and if we ever had evidence that any program funding was being misused by Boko Haram, we would immediately investigate it with our Nigerian partners.”

The U.S. designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013, aiming to block the group’s assets and financial activities.

In light of Congressman Perry’s allegations, the Nigerian Senate has summoned key security officials, including the National Security Adviser and heads of intelligence agencies, to investigate the claims.

Ambassador Mills reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Nigeria’s security and counterterrorism efforts, highlighting ongoing cooperation and robust monitoring systems to ensure that U.S. assistance reaches its intended recipients without being diverted to malicious actors.