The United States government has launched a $3.5 million initiative to fund civil society groups documenting and monitoring religious freedom violations across Nigeria. The funding opportunity, announced by the US Department of State's Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, aims to support organisations that document attacks and abuses linked to religion or belief.
Programme Details
According to a notice published on May 22, 2026, the project is expected to run between 24 and 48 months, with one organisation set to receive funding through either a grant or cooperative agreement. The grant follows the Trump administration's decision to place Nigeria on its "Country of Particular Concern" list.
The programme is designed to strengthen efforts to monitor, document and report cases involving religious persecution and violence committed by both state and non-state actors in Nigeria. The Office of International Religious Freedom stated: "The Office of International Religious Freedom announces an open competition for organisations interested in submitting applications for projects that improve documentation and reporting efforts on religious freedom abuses in Nigeria, for accountability, advocacy, and memorialisation."
Focus on Middle Belt
Organisations applying for the grant must focus heavily on at least four states in Nigeria's Middle Belt, a region repeatedly hit by communal disputes and militant attacks. The State Department referenced reports from civil society groups, religious leaders, journalists, academics, survivors and community members detailing violence carried out by terrorist organisations and armed groups.
The department said evidence gathered over the years points to attacks by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa (ISWAP), Fulani ethnic militias and other armed actors targeting both Christians and Muslims in different parts of the country.
Concerns Over Security Response
The notice also raised concerns about the response of Nigerian authorities to such attacks. "Civil society reports indicate that authorities regularly fail to respond in a timely or effective manner to violent attacks against civilians and faith communities, and particularly attacks against Christians," the notice said. According to the US government, the alleged lack of effective intervention has contributed to a culture of impunity, enabling further violence, killings and displacement of affected communities.
The State Department further alleged that members of Nigeria's security forces have, in some instances, carried out operations inside places of worship while pursuing suspected criminals. "There are also credible reports of Nigerian security personnel raiding places of worship and injuring clergy and congregants in search of alleged criminals," it stated.
Nigerian Government Rejects Claims
The Federal Government of Nigeria consistently denies allegations of systemic religious persecution, maintaining that terrorism, banditry, and militias target victims indiscriminately. Authorities have maintained that the country's security challenges affect Nigerians regardless of religion or ethnicity. Government officials have repeatedly argued that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts are criminal and security issues rather than religiously motivated campaigns.
Nigeria has also continued to engage with the United States on counterterrorism efforts, security sector reforms and regional stability initiatives aimed at tackling insurgency and violent extremism.
Application Process
The funding opportunity is open to US and foreign non-profit organisations, higher education institutions, public international organisations and for-profit entities, although the State Department noted a preference for working with non-profit groups. Applications for the programme will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 9, 2026.
