WASHINGTON — The United States Department of State has officially announced a $3.5 million (approximately N5 billion) funding opportunity aimed at strengthening the documentation and reporting of religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.

This initiative, managed by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, seeks to enhance accountability, advocacy, and memorialization efforts regarding violence linked to religion and belief across the country.

Initiative Overview

      •  Objective: To improve the monitoring, documentation, and reporting of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors.

      •  Duration: The program is set to run for 24 to 48 months, with a single award anticipated through a grant or cooperative agreement.

      •  Geographic Focus: The State Department has prioritized activities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region and requires applicants to identify at least four participating states for project implementation.

      •  Application Deadline: Interested organizations must submit applications by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 9, 2026.

Background and Context

The initiative comes amid ongoing U.S. concern regarding insecurity and religious tensions in Nigeria. The funding call follows the decision to designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" over religious freedom issues, a designation that has been a focal point of U.S. policy regarding Nigeria since 2025.

The State Department’s notice cites violence linked to groups including Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and various armed groups, noting that attacks have affected both Christian and Muslim communities. The U.S. has criticized what it describes as inadequate responses by Nigerian authorities to attacks on faith communities and has noted reports of security personnel being involved in raids on places of worship.

Perspectives on the Initiative

      •  U.S. Position: The U.S. government emphasizes that better documentation is essential to build an evidence base for accountability and to counteract the "widespread impunity for violence" that it believes encourages further abuses and displacements.

      •  Nigerian Government Position: The Nigerian Federal Government has consistently rejected allegations of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects all citizens regardless of faith.Authorities have emphasized their continued cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism and security sector reforms.