The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has strongly refuted claims that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is financing Boko Haram or any terrorist group, insisting that there is no evidence to support such allegations.
Speaking after a meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Abuja late Wednesday night, Mills reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria and reiterated that no nation condemns Boko Haram’s violent activities more than the United States. He assured that if any credible evidence emerged, the US would collaborate fully with the Nigerian government to investigate and address the issue.
The controversy stems from a statement made by US Congressman Scott Perry on February 13 during a congressional hearing on government efficiency and the alleged misappropriation of taxpayer funds. Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, claimed that USAID was indirectly funding various terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, through financial mismanagement. He asserted that nearly $697 million was being funneled into extremist groups and training camps.
The Nigerian Senate has since responded to Perry’s claims by calling on National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the heads of the National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency to investigate the allegations.
In reaction, Ambassador Mills firmly denied any diversion of USAID funds to terrorist organizations, emphasizing that the US has stringent measures to prevent such occurrences. He stressed that the United States designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2013, imposing financial restrictions and facilitating the arrest of its operatives. He assured that all US-funded programs, whether through USAID, the Department of Defense, or the State Department, undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure they do not benefit terrorist groups.
“There is absolutely no evidence of USAID or any US government assistance being redirected to Boko Haram,” Mills stated. “If such evidence were ever found, we would act immediately in collaboration with our Nigerian partners to investigate and stop it. The United States stands with Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram and remains committed to eliminating the threat this group poses.”
Addressing concerns about potential cuts to US assistance, Mills clarified that while the Trump administration had implemented a 90-day pause on certain aid programs to improve their effectiveness, life-saving assistance—such as support for HIV patients, maternal and child health, and aid for internally displaced persons—remains unaffected. He emphasized that the pause was not a termination of foreign assistance but a reassessment to align aid programs with US strategic interests.
Beyond the USAID controversy, Mills also discussed broader US-Nigeria relations during his meeting with the 36 state governors. He outlined four key priorities for future collaboration: enhancing trade and investment, promoting transparency and accountability, strengthening engagement at the state and local levels, and ensuring the sustainability of US-supported healthcare initiatives. He reiterated the US government’s commitment to helping Nigeria achieve long-term stability and development, particularly in the health sector, where US assistance has been instrumental in combating diseases like HIV and polio.
The ambassador concluded by reaffirming that the ultimate goal of US-Nigeria cooperation is to foster sustainable development, strengthen governance, and ensure that Nigeria’s health and security sectors are robust enough to meet future challenges.
