The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has firmly dismissed allegations that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing financial support to Boko Haram or any other terrorist organization. Speaking to journalists late Wednesday night after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors Forum in Abuja, Mills emphasized that there is no evidence to substantiate such claims and reaffirmed the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism alongside Nigeria.
The ambassador’s statements come in response to accusations made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry on February 13, 2025, during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency in Washington, D.C. Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged that USAID had funneled $697 million annually into terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda, as part of what he described as widespread misuse of taxpayer funds. Titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” the session sparked international controversy and prompted the Nigerian Senate to summon top security officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate the claims.
“There is absolutely no evidence of such diversion,” Mills stated, addressing the allegations head-on. “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 organization since 2013, blocking the group from transferring assets to the U.S. and allowing us to arrest and seize its members.”
Mills underscored the stringent policies and procedures in place to ensure that U.S. assistance—whether from USAID, the Department of Defense, or the State Department—does not fall into the hands of terrorist groups. “We cooperate fully in investigations with the Nigerian government,” he said. “If we ever had evidence that any program funding was being misused by Boko Haram, we would immediately investigate it with our Nigerian partners.”
Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf, has wreaked havoc across northeastern Nigeria for over two decades. Responsible for thousands of deaths, the destruction of property worth billions of naira, and the displacement of millions, the group’s insurgency remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing security challenges. The U.S. has long been a key partner in Nigeria’s fight against the group, providing humanitarian aid, military support, and development assistance through agencies like USAID.
The ambassador’s remarks also addressed broader concerns about U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration. Responding to reports of a potential aid cut, Mills clarified that no assistance to Nigeria has been terminated. “No decisions have been made about the future of our assistance,” he said, noting that a 90-day pause implemented by the administration was intended to enhance the effectiveness of aid programs rather than end them.
Beyond the USAID controversy, Mills outlined the U.S. Embassy’s vision for its future relationship with Nigeria during his discussions with the governors. He highlighted four key priorities: improving the business environment to boost trade and investment, enhancing transparency and accountability to combat corruption, increasing engagement at the state and local levels, and sustaining critical healthcare programs.
The allegations from Congressman Perry have fueled heated debate both in the U.S. and Nigeria, with some critics questioning the oversight of foreign aid programs, while others, including security experts in Nigeria, have dismissed the claims as baseless. Sadeeq Shehu, a prominent Nigerian security analyst, recently argued that there is no credible evidence linking USAID to Boko Haram, calling the narrative a recurring but unsubstantiated trope.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the Boko Haram insurgency, Mills reiterated the U.S.’s solidarity with the country. “When it comes to Boko Haram, the United States stands with Nigeria in wanting to rid this country of the scourge that this organization represents,” he said.
The Nigerian Senate’s closed-door session with security chiefs, scheduled in response to Perry’s claims, is expected to shed further light on the matter. For now, the U.S. Embassy’s firm denial has sought to quell speculation and reaffirm its partnership with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
