The United States government has announced a $3.5 million funding programme to support the monitoring, documentation and reporting of religious freedom violations in Nigeria amid ongoing concerns over attacks on faith communities.
The initiative, unveiled by the Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) under the US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, is expected to enhance efforts aimed at tracking abuses committed by both state and non-state actors across the country.
According to a Notice of Funding Opportunity issued on May 22, 2026, the programme will run for between 24 and 48 months, with one organisation expected to receive the grant or cooperative agreement.
The State Department said the project would focus on improving accountability, advocacy and record-keeping relating to religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
It noted that religious leaders, civil society groups, journalists, academics and survivors have over the years compiled evidence of violence carried out by insurgent groups and other armed actors against Christian and Muslim communities.
The document cited attacks linked to Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups as part of the security challenges affecting religious communities in the country.
The US government also expressed concern over what it described as the inadequate response of authorities to attacks targeting civilians and places of worship.
According to the notice, reports from civil society organisations indicate that security agencies often fail to respond promptly or effectively to violent attacks, thereby creating an environment where perpetrators operate with little fear of punishment.
The document further referenced allegations that some security personnel had conducted operations in places of worship, resulting in injuries to clergy members and worshippers.
As part of the programme, successful applicants will be required to develop systems for monitoring and documenting incidents of religious freedom abuses and violations, with a particular focus on improving accountability mechanisms.
The State Department said projects should prioritise Nigeria's Middle Belt region and identify at least four states where activities would be implemented.
The funding opportunity is open to US and foreign non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher institutions and private entities, although preference will be given to non-profit groups.
The initiative comes months after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of religious persecution and restrictions on religious freedom.
According to the State Department, the designation drew international attention to what it described as longstanding and worsening challenges affecting religious communities in Nigeria.
However, the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians or any other religious group are being systematically targeted.
Federal authorities have maintained that the country's security challenges are criminal and insurgency-related rather than religiously motivated, stressing that victims of violence cut across different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
The government has also continued to engage with the United States and other international partners on counterterrorism operations, security sector reforms and efforts to address insecurity nationwide.
Applications for the funding programme will close on July 9, 2026, with the selected organisation expected to spearhead documentation and reporting efforts aimed at improving understanding of religious freedom conditions in Nigeria.Alternative headlines:
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