Congressman claims USAID Funds Boko Haram

In a recent interview on Arise News morning show, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, discussed claims made by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry. Perry alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is funding Boko Haram’s operations. He claimed that USAID has been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, to the tune of $697 million annually. This revelation has raised concerns among some security experts and diplomats in Nigeria.

Prof. Akinyemi noted that Nigeria has been targeted for foreign interference since at least 1945, even before gaining independence. When asked about the individuals involved in the USAID funding of Boko Haram, he did not name anyone specific. He emphasized that the situation is complicated and leaves Nigerians feeling helpless to make real changes. He suggested that looking into old newspaper articles from Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency might help identify Nigerians implicated in issues of national security.

The claims about USAID’s role in Nigeria's security problems raise concerns about foreign aid in conflict zones. Critics argue that without proper oversight, aid meant to help may accidentally support extremist groups, making it harder to stabilize the region.

During Goodluck Jonathan’s time as president, Nigeria faced increasing threats from Boko Haram, resulting in many attacks and significant loss of life. News reports from that period highlighted the growing violence and the government’s responses to it.

As discussions continue about the impact of foreign aid, terrorism, and national security, the claims made by Congressman Perry and Prof. Akinyemi have sparked renewed debates on the effectiveness and monitoring of international assistance in Nigeria.