The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million (about ₦5 billion) funding programme to strengthen the documentation and reporting of religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, seeks organisations capable of improving monitoring efforts on attacks linked to religion and belief across the country.
According to a funding notice released on May 22, 2026, the project will run for between 24 and 48 months, with one grant or cooperative agreement expected to be awarded.
The State Department said the programme is designed to improve the documentation of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors and support accountability, advocacy and memorialisation efforts.
The US government cited violence attributed to Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been affected by the attacks.
It also criticised what it described as inadequate responses by Nigerian authorities to violence against faith communities, alleging that delays and ineffective interventions have contributed to a climate of impunity.
According to the notice, there are also reports of security personnel raiding places of worship and injuring clergy and worshippers while pursuing suspected criminals.
The funding programme follows President Donald Trump’s decision in November 2025 to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom. The US agency said project proposals should focus on improving accountability through the monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses, particularly in the Middle Belt, with applicants required to identify at least four states for implementation.
Applications are open to US and foreign non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher education institutions and for-profit entities, although preference will be given to non-profit groups. Applications close on July 9, 2026.
The Federal Government has consistently rejected allegations of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians irrespective of faith and stressing that it remains committed to working with the United States on counterterrorism efforts and broader security reforms.
