The United States has announced a $3.5 million funding initiative aimed at strengthening the documentation and reporting of religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The programme, launched through the Office of International Religious Freedom under the U.S. Department of State, is designed to support organisations working to track, record and report incidents of religion-related violence across the country.
According to a funding notice released on May 22, 2026, the project will run for between 24 and 48 months, with a single grant or cooperative agreement expected to be awarded. The initiative is intended to enhance accountability, advocacy, and documentation of abuses allegedly carried out by both state and non-state actors.
The notice invited applications from eligible organisations to improve evidence gathering on religious freedom violations, particularly in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions.
It referenced violence involving armed groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and other armed actors, noting that both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered attacks.
The U.S. government also raised concerns about what it described as delays or inadequacies in official responses to attacks on civilians, including faith-based communities. It further cited reports alleging that in some cases security operatives have mistakenly or otherwise entered places of worship during operations targeting suspected criminals.
The funding announcement stated that the programme follows a decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over issues related to religious freedom.
The initiative is open to U.S. and international non-profit organisations, academic institutions, public international bodies, and for-profit entities, though preference will be given to non-profits. Successful applicants are expected to focus activities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and operate in at least four states.
Applications for the grant are due by July 9, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of systematic religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens across all faiths and reaffirming its cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism and broader security reforms.