posted 18th February 2025
US Embassy Denies Claims of USAID Funding Boko Haram, Reaffirms Commitment to Counterterrorism Efforts
Abuja- Nigeria 18 February 2025: The United States Embassy in Nigeria has firmly refuted any suggestion that USAID has been involved in funding the terrorist group Boko Haram. In response to speculation linking US assistance to the group, the embassy issued a statement outlining the stringent monitoring and evaluation systems in place to ensure that American aid reaches its 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 embassy stated, reaffirming its commitment to fighting terrorism.
The Embassy wrote that US government has long maintained a strong stance against Boko Haram. On 14 November 2013, the Secretary of State designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), a move aimed at cutting off the group's financial networks, blocking its assets, and restricting the travel of its members to the United States. This designation underscores America's commitment to ensuring that terrorist organisations do not benefit from any form of external funding, particularly from its own aid programmes.
The embassy further reiterated that the United States continues to work with Nigeria and regional partners to combat terrorism. Through military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and developmental support, the US remains an active ally in the fight against insurgency in the region.
While allegations of USAID funding Boko Haram have circulated in some quarters, the US Embassy has categorically denied such claims, highlighting the robust systems in place to prevent aid diversion. The statement serves as a reassurance that American assistance is focused on humanitarian relief and development, rather than inadvertently benefiting terrorist elements.
As Nigeria continues its battle against insurgency, international cooperation remains vital in tackling terrorism and ensuring regional stability.
