The United States government has announced a $3.5 million (about N5 billion) funding programme aimed at strengthening efforts to document and report cases of religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, seeks to support organisations working to monitor attacks and abuses linked to religion and belief across the country.
According to a funding notice released on May 22, the project will run for between two and four years, with one successful applicant expected to receive either a grant or cooperative agreement.
The State Department said the programme is designed to improve accountability by enhancing the monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors.
“The Office of International Religious Freedom announces an open competition for organisations interested in submitting applications for projects that improve documentation and reporting efforts on religious freedom abuses in Nigeria for accountability, advocacy and memorialisation,” the notice stated.
The document cited violence carried out by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been affected.
It also raised concerns about what it described as inadequate responses by Nigerian authorities to attacks targeting religious communities.
According to the notice, reports from civil society groups indicate that security agencies often fail to respond promptly or effectively to violent attacks against civilians and faith-based communities, particularly Christians.
The State Department argued that the resulting culture of impunity has contributed to continued violence and displacement in affected areas.
The document further alleged that security personnel have, in some instances, raided places of worship while searching for criminal suspects, leading to injuries among clergy members and worshippers.
The initiative follows President Donald Trump’s decision in November 2025 to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.
“President Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern placed a spotlight on the severity of these longstanding and worsening problems,” the notice said.
Under the programme, applicants are expected to focus on improving accountability through the monitoring and reporting of religious freedom abuses. Proposed projects must prioritise activities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and identify at least four states where implementation will take place.
The funding opportunity is open to U.S. and foreign non-profit organisations, public international organisations, universities and certain for-profit entities, although preference will be given to non-profit groups.
Applications will close on July 9, 2026.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens regardless of their faith and stressing its ongoing collaboration with the United States on security and counter-terrorism efforts.
