Nigeria has received a total of $187.3 million in US foreign assistance in 2026, according to new data published by the US Department of State. The report, released on May 20, shows that the funding is part of Washington’s broader global aid distribution, with Nigeria ranking as the second-largest recipient in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Ethiopia.
A major share of the support—about $186.7 million—came through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), highlighting its continued dominance in delivering American development aid. Smaller allocations were also recorded across other US government bodies, including the Department of State, Defence, Agriculture, Interior, and Transportation, although these accounted for only a fraction of the total.
However, several US agencies recorded no spending on Nigeria during the period, including key institutions such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Department of Justice. This reflects a more concentrated funding structure, with USAID remaining the primary channel for assistance.
The disclosure comes at a sensitive moment, as US lawmakers are currently reviewing proposals that could introduce stricter conditions on future aid to Nigeria. The suggested framework includes withholding up to 50 per cent of assistance until progress is certified in areas such as security improvements, protection of vulnerable groups, and accountability for violence-related crimes.
If passed, the proposed bill would also link future funding to measurable progress in counterterrorism efforts, human rights protection, and humanitarian response. While the legislation is still awaiting full approval from Congress and the President, it signals growing scrutiny from Washington over Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. The Nigerian government, however, continues to reject claims of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity affects citizens across all faiths and reaffirming its cooperation with the United States on security reforms.
source: punch