The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million (about ₦5 billion) funding opportunity aimed at strengthening the monitoring and documentation of religious freedom abuses across Nigeria.
According to a notice released on May 22, 2026, by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, the programme will support organisations capable of improving reporting on religion and belief-related attacks in the country.
The initiative, reported by Punch Newspapers, is expected to run for between 24 and 48 months, with one successful applicant receiving funding through either a grant or cooperative agreement.
The State Department said the project is designed to improve the monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors.
In the funding notice, the agency said the programme seeks to enhance accountability, advocacy and memorialisation efforts related to religious freedom violations.
The document cited violence attributed to Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been affected by attacks.
According to the notice, evidence gathered by human rights advocates, religious leaders, journalists, academics and survivors has documented widespread violence linked to these groups.
The US government also raised concerns about the response of Nigerian authorities to attacks on faith communities. It stated that civil society reports suggest security agencies often fail to respond promptly or effectively to violent incidents, particularly those targeting Christian communities.
The notice argued that such failures contribute to a climate of impunity, encouraging further violence and displacement.
It also referenced reports alleging that some Nigerian security personnel have conducted raids on places of worship while searching for suspected criminals, resulting in injuries to clergy and worshippers.
The funding initiative follows a decision by the administration of Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues in November 2025.
The State Department said the programme would support efforts to improve accountability by documenting and reporting abuses committed by state and non-state actors. Applicants are expected to focus on Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and identify at least four states where activities will be carried out.
Eligible applicants include foreign and US-based non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher education institutions and for-profit entities, although the department indicated a preference for non-profit groups.
Applications for the funding opportunity will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 9, 2026.
The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of faith. Authorities have also said Nigeria continues to work closely with the United States on counterterrorism operations and security sector reforms.
