Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the operations of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria, describing the agency’s activities as “suspicious.”
This comes after U.S. Congressman Scott Perry alleged that USAID was used to fund Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. In response to the serious claim, the Nigerian Senate has summoned key security officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed, and Director-General of the State Security Services Oluwatosin Ajayi, for further investigation.
Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Ndume backed the call for a thorough probe, stating that USAID’s lack of transparency is troubling.
“The way they operate makes it so suspicious. They don’t allow for oversight and go to places where nobody goes,” Ndume said. “They also do certain things in secret, which is worrisome. They come under the pretense of helping, yet you can’t even ask questions.”
Ndume also pointed out that the U.S. has reportedly halted some USAID funding over concerns of “wasteful spending,” making this the right time for Nigeria to scrutinize the agency’s operations.
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