*The United States Agency for International Development Sunday, February 23 announces all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programmes are being placed on administrative leave globally

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Despite recent denial of alleged funding of Boko Haram destructive activities in Nigeria, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sunday, February 23, 2025, placed about 1,600 employees on administrative leave worldwide.

The USAID Sunday announced the administrative leave for affected workers in a statement, titled: 鈥淣otification of Administrative Leave鈥�, posted on the agency鈥檚 corporate Web site.

Congressman鈥檚 alleged USAID $697 million funding of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Recently, there was a new twist to the basic factor responsible for United States (US) President Donald Trump鈥檚 recent stoppage of his country鈥檚 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) operations worldwide.

绿帽献妻 gathered that United States Congressman Scott Perry, in a damning revelation, recently alleged that UNSAID had funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, to the tune of $697 million annually.

The US Congressman and Republican representing Pennsylvania, made this assertion during a hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, citing alleged misappropriations of American taxpayers鈥� funds.

President Trump recently suspended USAID, and other aid programmes, accusing the agencies of corruption.

Perry鈥檚 allegation is said to generated concerns among some security experts and diplomats in the West African country.

No evidence USAID was funding Boko Haram, others in Nigeria -US Ambassador聽

In reaction of the sweeping allegation of funding support for the terrorist group in the country, Richard Mills, US Ambassador to Nigeria, has denied the allegation again the agency.

Ambassador Mills, last week, said that there was no evidence that the agency was funding Boko Haram, or any terrorist group in the country.

However, Inuwa Garba, a member of the House of Representatives, in the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, disagreed with Ambassador Mills.

Garba said that the US envoy had no right to say if the allegations against USAID were true or wrong.

The House of Representatives has also constituted an A-hoc Committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Congressman Scott Perry on USAID sponsoring Boko Haram in the country.

USAID implements a 鈥楻eduction-in-Force鈥�: Official

The US global aid agency, however, stated Sunday: 鈥淎s of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programmes, will be placed on administrative leave globally.

鈥淐oncurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID personnel with duty stations in the United States.鈥�

It is also disclosed that the USAID affected employees had received direct notifications, detailing the next steps regarding their employment status, benefits, and future options.

The statement further noted: “Individuals that are impacted will receive specific notifications on February 23, 2025, with further instructions and information about their benefits and rights.”

It said that amid the uncertainty, a select group of essential personnel was tasked with continuing operations. These individuals, identified by agency leadership, were expected to remain in their roles despite the sweeping changes in USAID.

The statement said: “Designated essential personnel who are expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership on February 23, 2025, by 5 p.m. EST.”

It was learnt the impact of these changes was particularly pronounced for USAID鈥檚 overseas personnel, but the agency pledged to ensure their safety.

USAID as well outlined a voluntary, agency-funded return travel programme for those stationed abroad, aiming to facilitate their transition back home.

However, until their return, these personnel would retain access to essential agency systems and diplomatic support, it stated.

The agency also said: 鈥淔or overseas personnel, USAID intends a voluntary Agency-funded return travel programme and other benefits.

鈥淯SAID is committed to keeping its overseas personnel safe.”

The statement explained: “Until they return home, personnel will retain access to Agency systems and to diplomatic and other resources.

鈥淚n the coming week, we will provide details on how to retrieve personal items from the former USAID workspaces and return government-issued devices.”

Further still, employees without access to USAID systems were advised to check USAID.gov for ongoing updates, as agency officials promised continued communication through official channels.

USAID noted: “Additional guidance is forthcoming, and all future updates/notices will continue to be communicated through official USAID channels and posted on USAID.gov for those without access to USAID systems.”

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