The United States Department of State has introduced a funding programme worth $3.5 million (about N5 billion) to support efforts aimed at documenting and reporting violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The initiative, announced through the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, invites eligible organisations to submit proposals focused on improving the monitoring of religion-related abuses and attacks across the country.
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According to the funding notice issued on May 22, 2026, the project is expected to last between two and four years, with one successful applicant receiving support through either a grant or a cooperative agreement.
The department explained that the programme is designed to strengthen the tracking, documentation and reporting of abuses allegedly committed by both government actors and non-state groups.
“The Office of International Religious Freedom is seeking applications from organisations interested in carrying out projects that enhance documentation and reporting on religious freedom violations in Nigeria for purposes of accountability, advocacy and historical record,” the notice stated.
The document highlighted violence attributed to Boko Haram, Fulani militias and other armed groups, noting that both Christian and Muslim communities have been affected.
It stated that human rights defenders, religious leaders, journalists, academics, community members and survivors have helped build a body of evidence showing the scale of violence allegedly carried out by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, Fulani militias and other armed actors against followers of different faiths.
The US government also expressed concern over what it described as insufficient responses by Nigerian authorities to attacks targeting religious communities.
According to the notice, reports from civil society groups suggest that security agencies often fail to respond promptly or effectively to violent incidents affecting civilians and faith-based groups, particularly Christians.
The document argued that the lack of accountability has contributed to a culture of impunity, encouraging further attacks, abuses and displacement of affected populations.
It further alleged that there have been credible reports of Nigerian security operatives conducting raids on places of worship while pursuing suspected criminals, resulting in injuries to clerics and worshippers.
The State Department said the funding programme follows President Donald Trump’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over issues relating to religious freedom.
The notice said the designation drew international attention to what it described as longstanding and worsening challenges concerning religious rights in the country.
Under the programme, applicants are expected to focus on improving accountability by monitoring, documenting and reporting religious freedom violations committed by either state or non-state actors.
Interested organisations are required to prioritise activities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and identify a minimum of four states where project implementation will take place.
Eligibility extends to US and foreign non-profit organisations, public international bodies, higher institutions and for-profit entities, although the department indicated a preference for non-profit organisations.
Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 9, 2026.
President Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern in November 2025, citing allegations of persecution against Christians.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently denied claims of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects citizens irrespective of their faith and reaffirming its commitment to working with the United States on counterterrorism efforts and broader security reforms.
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