The Nigerian Senate has summoned National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and the heads of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to address allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is involved in funding terrorist groups.
The summons follows a motion by Senator Ali Ndume, who called for an urgent investigation into claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry in a viral video. Perry alleged that USAID has provided financial support to terrorist organizations worldwide, including Boko Haram.
Lawmakers also referenced recent concerns raised by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who warned that terrorist groups in the country were receiving funding and training from international organizations.
Meanwhile, USAID has come under increased scrutiny in the United States. Following Donald Trump’s return to power, his administration has frozen aid funding, leading to budget cuts for humanitarian workers and the suspension of several programs.
On January 24, just four days after Trump resumed office, NGOs affiliated with USAID received a letter instructing them to halt all agency-funded activities. A week later, a follow-up letter authorized them to resume select “life-saving humanitarian assistance” programs, though the guidelines remained vague, leaving many organizations uncertain about their operations.
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of USAID, calling the agency “run by radical lunatics.” His close ally, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has also labeled USAID a “criminal organization.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who now serves as acting director of the agency, has pledged to curb what he described as USAID’s “insubordination.”
Global and regional NGOs have warned that these funding restrictions are already affecting their operations and could weaken U.S. influence on the international stage.
