Trump’s US commits $3.5m to monitor religious violence in Nigeria

The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million funding programme to strengthen documentation and reporting of religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.

The funding opportunity, released by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, is aimed at supporting organisations working to document attacks and abuses linked to religion and belief.

According to the notice issued on May 22, 2026, the programme will run for between 24 and 48 months, with one award expected under a grant or cooperative agreement.

The State Department said the project would improve monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors in Nigeria.

“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 department said reports by documenters, rights advocates, religious leaders, community members, academics, journalists and survivors had shown the scale of violence carried out by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups against Christians and Muslims.

It also faulted the response of Nigerian authorities to attacks on faith communities.

“Civil society reports indicate that authorities regularly fail to respond in a timely or effective manner to violent attacks against civilians and faith communities, and particularly attacks against Christians,” the notice said.

The US government said the alleged failure to respond effectively had encouraged impunity and further violence, leading to more abuses and displacement.

The notice also alleged that Nigerian security personnel had, in some cases, raided places of worship while searching for suspected criminals.

“There are also credible reports of Nigerian security personnel raiding places of worship and injuring clergy and congregants in search of alleged criminals,” it stated.

The State Department said the funding initiative followed President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom concerns.

It said proposals under the programme should focus on improving accountability through proper monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses by state and non-state actors.

Applicants are expected to prioritise the Middle Belt and identify at least four states where the project will be implemented.

The funding opportunity is open to foreign and US-based non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher education institutions and for-profit bodies.

However, the State Department said it preferred to work with non-profit organisations.

Applications will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in November 2025 over alleged persecution of Christians.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected allegations of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects citizens of all faiths.

The Federal Government has also said it remains committed to working with the US on counterterrorism and security reforms.