Senate Summons Security Chiefs Over Alleged USAID Links to Boko Haram Funding

Feb 19, 2025

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By Bayero Ade

The Nigerian Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser and the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) may have provided financial support to Boko Haram.

According to Afripost, The decision was prompted by a motion from Senator Ali Ndume, who urged lawmakers to investigate claims that international organizations, including USAID, could be involved in funding terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.

During plenary, senators debated a viral video in which U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, alleged during a congressional hearing that USAID had supported terrorist activities worldwide, including Boko Haram.

Senator Ndume pointed out that these claims surfaced shortly after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned that terrorist groups in the country were receiving external funding and training from international organizations.

The controversy follows Perry’s broader accusations that USAID has also supported groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda. Speaking at the inaugural session of an advisory committee formed by former U.S. President Donald Trump to review government spending, Perry claimed that USAID’s $697 million budget included financial transfers to Islamic schools (madrasas), which he suggested had indirectly funded terrorist training camps and extremist activities.

Critics of Trump’s administration have argued that his stance was aimed at weakening institutions like USAID to justify cuts in foreign aid. In January, Trump temporarily suspended all foreign assistance for 90 days, stating that the review was necessary to ensure U.S. funds aligned with national interests.

In response, the Senate has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and has directed security agencies to submit detailed reports on any evidence of foreign funding for terrorist organizations in Nigeria.