The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million (about N5 billion) funding programme to support better documentation and reporting of religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The programme, launched through the Office of International Religious Freedom, is seeking organisations that can help monitor, document and report attacks linked to religion and belief across the country.
According to the funding notice released on May 22, 2026, the project will run for two to four years, with one organisation expected to receive the grant.
The US government said the initiative is designed to improve the tracking of abuses committed by both government and non-government actors, while supporting accountability, advocacy and record-keeping efforts.
The notice cited violence by Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militias and other armed groups, saying both Christians and Muslims have been affected by the attacks.
It also criticised what it described as poor responses by Nigerian authorities to violence against religious communities, claiming that delayed or ineffective action has contributed to a culture of impunity.
In addition, the document alleged that some Nigerian security personnel have carried out raids on places of worship while searching for suspected criminals.
The funding programme follows President Donald Trump’s decision in November 2025 to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues.
Organisations applying for the grant are expected to focus on monitoring, documenting and reporting religious freedom abuses, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, and identify at least four states where activities will be carried out.
Applications are open to both US and foreign non-profit organisations, international bodies, universities and some for-profit entities. The deadline for submissions is July 9, 2026.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects citizens of all faiths and that it continues to work with the US on security and counterterrorism efforts.
