The United States Mission to Nigeria has announced enhanced monitoring systems to ensure that U.S. aid to Nigeria reaches its intended recipients. This move comes after U.S. Congressman Scott Perry claimed that funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have inadvertently supported terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
In a recent statement, the U.S. Mission emphasized its commitment to accountability, stating, “Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to help verify that U.S. assistance reaches intended recipients.” The Mission also condemned the violent actions of Boko Haram and similar groups in the region.
These developments follow President Donald Trump’s decision on January 20, 2025, to suspend all foreign aid for 90 days. The suspension aims to address concerns about global instability and ensure that aid aligns with American interests.
During a hearing on February 14, 2025, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” Congressman Perry alleged that USAID funds, amounting to $697 million annually, have been misused. He claimed these funds ended up supporting terrorist training camps associated with groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram.
In response to these allegations, the U.S. Mission reiterated its stance against terrorism, highlighting that Boko Haram was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013. This designation aims to block the group’s assets, halt fundraising efforts, prosecute its members, and restrict their travel to the United States.
The scrutiny of USAID’s operations has intensified, with Congressman Perry citing instances of financial mismanagement. He referenced a reported $136 million expenditure intended to build 120 schools in Pakistan, alleging there is “zero evidence” of their construction.
President Trump has long criticized USAID, accusing the agency of corruption. His administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has pledged to investigate USAID’s activities. Musk described USAID as “a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America” and accused it of engaging in unauthorized operations. The department’s mission includes reducing government bureaucracy, cutting unnecessary regulations, eliminating wasteful spending, and restructuring federal agencies.
These actions reflect a broader effort by the U.S. government to ensure that foreign aid serves its intended purpose and does not inadvertently support activities contrary to American interests.
