The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has firmly dismissed claims that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds Boko Haram or any terrorist organization. He made these remarks after meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja late Wednesday. Mills emphasized that no nation condemns Boko Haram’s violence more strongly than the United States and pledged cooperation with Nigeria if any credible evidence is found.
On February 13, Congressman Scott Perry alleged that USAID was financing terrorist groups, including Boko Haram. Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, made these accusations during the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency’s first hearing. This session, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” addressed allegations of taxpayer fund misappropriations.
Perry alleged that funds allocated to USAID were being diverted to extremist groups. He said, “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.”
As a result of these claims, Nigeria’s Senate summoned the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and leaders of the National Intelligence and Defence Intelligence Agencies to address the funding allegations involving USAID.
When asked about these allegations, Ambassador Mills reiterated that the US has stringent policies to ensure that no USAID or US government assistance reaches terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
“Let me be clear—there is no friend of Nigeria stronger in condemning Boko Haram’s violence and disregard for human life than the United States. We have designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation since 2013, blocking the group from transferring assets to the US and allowing us to arrest and seize its members,” Mills said.
He emphasized the United States’ close cooperation with Nigeria on investigations and reinforced the country’s commitment to strict oversight of its assistance programs. Mills added, “There is absolutely no evidence of such diversion, and if we ever had evidence that any programme funding was being misused by Boko Haram, we would immediately investigate it with our Nigerian partners.
“So, when it comes to Boko Haram, the United States stands with Nigeria in wanting to rid this country of the scourge that this organisation represents.”
Mills also addressed past US foreign assistance policies. He clarified that the pause on aid under President Donald Trump’s administration was intended to review and improve the effectiveness of such assistance rather than cut funding entirely.
“No assistance has been cut yet, and no decisions have been made about the future of our assistance. In fact, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said that this is not about ending foreign assistance to our partners like Nigeria. It’s about making our assistance more effective and aligning it with US government policies and interests,” Mills explained.
He continued, “That’s what this 90-day pause is for. However, there are waivers for life-saving assistance, such as support for HIV patients, maternal and child nutrition, and internally displaced people. So that continues. In 90 days, we will know where we stand.”
During his meeting with Nigeria’s 36 state governors, Mills outlined the US embassy’s vision for strengthening US-Nigeria relations in the years ahead.
“I explained to them that we are going to focus on four key priorities in the coming years. The first is improving the business environment to increase trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria,” Mills shared.
The second priority is enhancing transparency and accountability in Nigeria. Mills stressed the US’s commitment to combating corruption and amplifying the voices of Nigerians advocating for good governance.
“Third, we want to be more engaged at the subnational level, at the state level, and with local governing authorities. I believe the embassy needs to engage more in this area as we develop our programs and assistance,” Mills said.
Health programs are another significant part of US assistance to Nigeria. According to Mills, as the US and Nigerian governments work together to reduce HIV cases, eradicate polio, and improve other health outcomes, the focus will be on ensuring these initiatives’ long-term sustainability.
Mills concluded, “We want to ensure their sustainability and transition them to the Nigerian government at the federal and state levels.” By transferring ownership of these programs to Nigerian authorities, the US hopes to contribute to building a more robust healthcare system for Nigeria’s future.
