EFCC, FBI probe alleged diversion of USAID funds

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have begun investigating alleged diversion and mismanagement of funds released under United States government-supported programmes in Nigeria.

The development followed a meeting between officials of the two law enforcement agencies in Lagos on Thursday, where they agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing and operational cooperation over the alleged financial irregularities.

An FBI delegation led by Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, Macus Maccain, visited the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Bawa Usman Kaltungo.

Maccain said the engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation in investigating financial irregularities involving organisations that received funds under programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly interventions targeting HIV and tuberculosis.

He said the investigation became necessary after the United States government shut down some USAID programmes in 2025, raising concerns about funds that remained with organisations implementing the affected projects.

According to him, some of the organisations were suspected of mismanaging or diverting funds provided before the programmes were discontinued.

“We are seeking stronger engagement with the EFCC to establish how the funds were managed and identify possible financial misconduct arising from the termination of the programmes,” Maccain said.

Also speaking, Jeremy Kennon, a Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General, Department of State, said the United States and Nigerian governments had previously funded organisations implementing HIV and tuberculosis programmes in Nigeria.