A recent revelation by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has raised alarm after he alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, to the tune of $697 million annually.
Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made these claims during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, citing possible misallocations of taxpayer funds.
“USAID’s reported funding of $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan has yielded zero evidence of the schools’ construction,” Perry stated, further questioning the allocation of $60 million annually for the Women’s Scholarship Endowment and $5 million for the Young Women Lead program, suggesting these funds may inadvertently support terrorism rather than empowering women.
The allegations have sparked significant concern among Nigerian security experts and diplomats. Mike Ejiofor, former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), reacted to the disclosure, saying the allegations were “not a surprise.”
Ejiofor, who had previously supported claims by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) that international NGOs were covertly collaborating with terrorists, called for a thorough investigation by Nigerian security agencies.
“Until investigations are concluded and culpability established, only then can the government take decisive action,” he said.
International affairs analyst, Dr. Ambrose Igboke, also weighed in, claiming that developed countries often fund global crises for purposes such as regime change or economic interests.
He remarked, “It is for these reasons that serious countries like Russia and China often reject this international aid. They don’t allow these aid agencies to come close to their countries because of this.”
He pointed to the sophisticated weapons used by Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations like ISWAP as evidence of international funding.
Kabir Adamu, CEO of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, acknowledged that espionage has long been a subject of international relations. However, he questioned the direct connection between USAID funding and Boko Haram’s activities.
“It is very difficult to put it on the table, to say this is the country, because they don’t do it directly, they do it through layers,” he noted, referencing the historical link between the U.S. and the Taliban.
While the allegations are yet to be verified, experts agree on the need for a comprehensive investigation into the potential misuse of aid funds.
