Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Addresses Unverified Claims of USAID Backing Boko Haram

 

In a surprising twist to Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar recently commented on allegations linking the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support for Boko Haram, the notorious terrorist group that has plagued Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade. Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja on March 20, 2025, Tuggar emphasized that these claims remain unproven, urging caution amid swirling speculation. As of March 22, 2025, this development has sparked intense debate about foreign aid, national security, and Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

The Allegations and Their Origins

The controversy stems from remarks made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry during a February 2025 session of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency. Perry alleged that USAID funds, amounting to $697 million annually, had been funneled to various terrorist organizations worldwide, including Boko Haram in Nigeria. His comments, lacking concrete evidence, triggered outrage in Nigeria, prompting the House of Representatives to launch a probe into USAID-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the country. The Nigerian lawmakers demanded financial records spanning a decade from over a dozen NGOs, intensifying scrutiny on international aid efforts.

Tuggar, addressing the press, refrained from outright dismissal or endorsement of the claims. “With regards to the dignity of Nigeria and this allegation—it is an allegation, it’s not something that has been proven,” he stated. He pointed to the political context in the United States, suggesting that partisan dynamics might be at play. “We know that politics is also played in the United States of America. They have partisan politics. It’s not our business. We’re not getting involved in their domestic politics,” he added, signaling Nigeria’s intent to avoid entanglement in U.S. internal affairs while still taking the matter seriously.

Tuggar’s Reassurance on Boko Haram’s Decline

Despite the uproar, Tuggar sought to reassure Nigerians that Boko Haram’s threat has significantly diminished. “I can tell you for free that Boko Haram has been severely degraded,” he declared, highlighting the success of military operations and regional cooperation. He credited initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), comprising troops from Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, for weakening the insurgency. “The MNJTF is being studied by developed countries, asking, ‘How are these guys doing it?’” he noted, framing it as a model for counterterrorism globally.

Tuggar also spotlighted rehabilitation efforts, such as the Safe Corridor program in Gombe State, where former militants and conflict-affected individuals are processed. “Suspected militants, combatants, and non-combatants—those trapped during the conflict—are being sorted out. Those that need to be reoriented are being reoriented. Those that need to be tried are being tried. Those that need to be supported and resettled are being resettled,” he explained. This multi-pronged approach, he argued, demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to both security and humanitarian recovery.

Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Achievements

The minister took the opportunity to tout Nigeria’s broader contributions to regional stability. He cited the country’s historical peacekeeping roles in Sierra Leone and Liberia as evidence of its diplomatic and military prowess. “We really need to start looking at ourselves differently. We need to start looking at our model and our applications,” Tuggar urged, calling for national pride in these accomplishments. He suggested that Somalia and other nations are looking to emulate Nigeria’s strategies, particularly the MNJTF’s collaborative framework.

This narrative of progress contrasts sharply with the USAID allegations, which imply external interference might have prolonged the insurgency. Tuggar’s comments subtly shift the focus from foreign aid controversies to Nigeria’s homegrown solutions, reinforcing the government’s narrative of resilience and self-reliance.

The USAID Controversy in Context

The allegations against USAID are not entirely new. Over the years, suspicions about foreign entities inadvertently—or deliberately—supporting insurgent groups have surfaced in Nigeria. In 2019, the Nigerian military banned two NGOs, Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, from the northeast, accusing them of aiding Boko Haram—a charge both organizations vehemently denied. More recently, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa has hinted at foreign funding sustaining terrorist operations, noting that captured fighters often possess foreign currency.

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria swiftly rebuffed Perry’s claims. Ambassador Richard Mills stated in February 2025 that “there was no evidence that USAID was funding Boko Haram or any terrorist group in Nigeria,” emphasizing robust monitoring systems to ensure aid reaches intended recipients. Despite this, Nigeria’s lawmakers remain unconvinced, with some, like Representative Amobi Ogah, questioning the presence of private jets operated by NGOs at Maiduguri Airport in Borno State, a Boko Haram hotspot.

Implications for U.S.-Nigeria Relations

Tuggar’s measured response reflects a delicate balancing act. Nigeria relies heavily on U.S. support—USAID disbursed $970 million to the country in 2022 alone, with similar amounts in subsequent years. However, President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order suspending all USAID programs for 90 days, pending a review, has already put a $602.95 million grant for 2025 at risk. The Boko Haram allegations could further strain this partnership, especially if the Nigerian probe uncovers irregularities—or even if it doesn’t, fueling distrust.

For now, Tuggar has avoided direct confrontation with the U.S., framing the issue as an unverified claim rather than a diplomatic crisis. His call for Nigerians to focus on their country’s achievements suggests a strategy of deflecting external criticism while bolstering domestic confidence.

What’s Next?

The National Assembly’s investigation into USAID-funded NGOs is ongoing, with a deadline for submissions set for late March 2025. The outcome could reshape Nigeria’s approach to foreign aid, potentially leading to tighter regulations or outright bans on certain organizations. Meanwhile, Boko Haram, though weakened, continues sporadic attacks, underscoring the need for sustained counterterrorism efforts regardless of funding disputes.

Tuggar’s remarks highlight a critical juncture for Nigeria: a nation asserting its progress against insurgency while grappling with the complexities of international alliances. For those following Nigeria’s security landscape, Boko Haram updates, or U.S.-Nigeria relations, this story is a developing one, with far-reaching consequences yet to unfold.