By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ALLEGATIONS THAT the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram, have raised concerns among security experts and diplomats in Nigeria.
US Congressman Scott Perry made the claim during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, citing alleged misappropriations of taxpayer funds amounting to $697 million annually.
Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, accused USAID of funnelling funds to extremist groups, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram, through undisclosed payments.
During the hearing titled The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud, he alleged that USAID’s reported allocation of $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan showed “zero evidence” of completion.
He further questioned the credibility of USAID-funded programmes, including the Women’s Scholarship Endowment, which reportedly receives $60 million annually, and the Young Women Lead programme, which gets $5 million.
Perry suggested these funds may not be reaching intended beneficiaries, alleging they could be supporting terrorist activities instead.
“You are funding terrorism, and it’s coming through USAID,” Perry declared. “It’s not just Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is right next door. USAID spent $840 million over 20 years on Pakistan’s education-related programme, and there is zero evidence of the schools being built.”
The allegations have reignited scrutiny over foreign aid in Nigeria, where USAID has played a significant role in humanitarian and development projects.
Boko Haram, which has waged a violent insurgency in Northeast Nigeria for over 15 years, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Reacting to Perry’s claims, former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, said the allegations align with concerns previously raised by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff about international organisations collaborating with terrorist groups.
He called for a thorough investigation by the National Assembly and security agencies.
“This is not surprising,” Ejiofor said. “We have had suspicions that foreign organisations may be aiding terrorism.
“The National Assembly, DSS, and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) must investigate to establish the truth.”
International affairs analyst, Dr. Ambrose Igboke, also commented on the issue, alleging that some developed nations use foreign aid to destabilise regions for political and economic gain.
“Superpowers have a history of funding crises around the world for regime change or economic control,” he said.
“That’s why countries like Russia and China reject foreign aid agencies, as they suspect hidden agendas.”
Security expert Kabir Adamu of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited noted that espionage and foreign interference have long been concerns in international relations.
He, however, cautioned that Perry’s claims lacked direct evidence linking USAID to Boko Haram.
“The congressman has not provided clear proof linking USAID to Boko Haram or Al-Qaeda,” Adamu said.
“Espionage and foreign influence operate through multiple layers, making direct attribution difficult.”
Perry’s allegations come amid ongoing scrutiny of USAID by US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump previously accused USAID of corruption, calling for its dissolution.
Musk has echoed similar concerns, alleging the agency engages in “rogue CIA work” and funds “bioweapon research, including COVID-19.”
