US Commits $3.5m to Monitor Nigeria’s Religious Violence

The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million funding initiative aimed at strengthening the documentation and reporting of religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.

The programme, unveiled by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, seeks to support organisations capable of improving the monitoring of attacks and violations linked to religion and belief across the country.

According to a Notice of Funding Opportunity released on May 22, 2026, the project will run for between 24 and 48 months, with one award expected to be granted under either a grant or cooperative agreement.

The State Department said the initiative is designed to enhance efforts to monitor, document and report abuses committed by both state and non-state actors, while promoting accountability, advocacy and memorialisation.

“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 perpetrated 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 by attacks in various parts of the country.

It also referenced contributions by human rights advocates, religious leaders, journalists, academics and survivors in building an evidence base documenting religiously linked violence and abuses.

The State Department expressed concern over what it described as inadequate responses by Nigerian authorities to attacks on civilians and faith communities, particularly Christians.

According to the notice, reports from civil society organisations indicate that delayed or ineffective responses by authorities have contributed to a climate of impunity, encouraging further violence and displacement.

The document further alleged that there have been credible reports of security personnel raiding places of worship and injuring clergy and worshippers while searching for suspected criminals.

The funding initiative follows the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the administration of President Donald Trump over issues relating to religious freedom.

Under the programme, applicants are expected to prioritise activities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and identify at least four states where implementation will take place.

The opportunity is open to both foreign and United States-based non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher education institutions and for-profit entities, although preference will be given to non-profit groups.

Applications for the funding programme are expected to close on July 9, 2026.

The Federal Government has consistently rejected allegations of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity in Nigeria affects citizens irrespective of religious affiliation and affirming its commitment to continued cooperation with the United States on security and counterterrorism efforts.