The United States has defended its aid programmes in Nigeria, stating that it has robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place to ensure that funds reach their intended beneficiaries.
This comes in response to recent allegations that American aid money has been used to finance terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
In a statement shared on its official X handle on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria reaffirmed its stance against terrorism, saying, “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 also highlighted the US government’s long-standing measures to counter Boko Haram, noting that the group was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 2013.
“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 statement read.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Republican congressman Scott Perry last week, in which he alleged that the United States Agency for International Development had inadvertently funded terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Perry’s comments, made while endorsing former President Donald Trump’s call to shut down USAID, sparked a wave of reactions, particularly on Nigerian social media.
While some Nigerians dismissed Perry’s claims as political rhetoric, others accused the US of contributing to Nigeria’s insecurity under the guise of humanitarian aid.
USAID has been actively involved in Nigeria through various initiatives aimed at providing humanitarian assistance, stabilisation efforts, and support for communities displaced by the insurgency in the country’s north-east.
Despite the controversy, the US government reiterated its commitment to working with Nigeria and regional partners to combat terrorism and ensure stability in the region.
