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 joined forces to probe allegations of mismanagement and diversion of funds allocated under United States-supported health initiatives in Nigeria. This collaboration was initiated after a visit by Macus Maccain, the FBI Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, to Bawa Usman Kaltungo, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2.

Maccain emphasized the focus on intelligence sharing and operational cooperation concerning financial irregularities involving organizations that received funding through USAID programs, especially those related to HIV and Tuberculosis efforts.

Maccain noted that the concerns arose following the U.S. government's shutdown of some USAID programs in 2025, which raised questions about the status of funds held by implementing organizations. Jeremy Kennon, a Special Agent from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of State, revealed that investigations had revealed inflated budgets and other financial irregularities in Kano State and other regions.

Kennon indicated that the FBI is keen on establishing a long-term relationship with the EFCC, including reciprocal information sharing.

In response, Kaltungo pledged that the EFCC would thoroughly investigate the allegations across all affected states, tracing the flow of funds and identifying their final recipients. He assured the delegation that the investigation would determine whether the funds were utilized for their intended purposes or were instead diverted or mismanaged due to the termination of these programs. Kaltungo committed to working closely with the FBI to follow the financial trail and establish the facts behind these allegations.