RismadarVoice Reporters, June 1, 2026
The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million funding opportunity aimed at strengthening the documentation and reporting of religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, seeks applications from organisations capable of improving reporting and monitoring efforts on attacks linked to religion and belief across the country.
According to the Notice of Funding Opportunity released on May 22, 2026, the programme will run for between 24 and 48 months, with one award expected under either a grant or cooperative agreement.
The State Department said the project is intended to enhance efforts to monitor and document alleged abuses committed by both state and non-state actors in Nigeria.
“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,” the notice stated.
The document referenced violence linked to Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, Fulani ethnic militias and other armed groups, noting that attacks have affected both Christians and Muslims.
According to the notice, human rights advocates, religious leaders, journalists, academics and survivors have contributed to evidence documenting violence carried out by armed groups against faith communities.
The US government also expressed concern over what it described as inadequate responses by Nigerian authorities to attacks targeting civilians and religious communities.
“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 document stated.
It added that impunity for such attacks contributes to continued violence and displacement.
The notice further alleged that there have been credible reports of Nigerian security personnel raiding places of worship and injuring clergy and worshippers while pursuing suspected criminals.
The State Department said the funding initiative follows the decision by Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues.
According to the document, the designation drew international attention to what it described as longstanding and worsening religious freedom challenges in the country.
The Office of International Religious Freedom said successful proposals should focus on improving accountability through monitoring, documenting and reporting alleged abuses committed by state and non-state actors.
Applicants are expected to prioritise activities within Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and identify at least four states where the projects will be implemented.
The funding opportunity is open to Nigerian and international non-profit organisations, public international organisations, higher education institutions and for-profit entities, although preference will be given to non-profit groups.
Applications are scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 9, 2026.
President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in November 2025 over allegations of religious persecution.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of faith and affirming its continued cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism efforts and security reforms.
