The United States government has launched an investigation into how past aid allocated to Nigeria and other countries has been utilised.

This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order on 20 January 2025, suspending all foreign aid for 90 days. The decision was driven by concerns over global destabilisation and claims that certain aid programmes were not aligned with American interests.

The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and its disbursement of health funds. Last Thursday, US Congressman Scott Perry alleged that USAID had, at some point, funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram.

Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made the claim during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.

Boko Haram, formally known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is a terrorist group operating mainly in northeastern Nigeria, with a presence in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali. The group has waged a violent insurgency for over 15 years, carrying out attacks against security forces, government institutions, and civilians, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

In response to the allegations, the US Mission to Nigeria issued a statement on Tuesday via X (formerly Twitter), affirming that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place to track past aid disbursements.

“Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to ensure that US assistance reaches its intended recipients. The United States condemns the violence and blatant disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations in Nigeria and the region,” the statement read.

The US Mission also reiterated Washington’s longstanding stance against Boko Haram.

“The Secretary of State designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation on 14 November 2013, imposing sanctions to block its assets, disrupt its fundraising activities, prosecute individual members, and restrict their travel to the United States.

“The United States remains committed to working with Nigeria and regional partners to combat terrorism,” it added.