The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has announced $92.73 million (about N29.2billion) in additional funding to support the five-year $2.3 billion agreement it signed with the Federal Government in 2015 to tackle poverty.
This brings the total development assistance to help reduce extreme poverty in the country to $474.74 million. It will also stimulate inclusive economic growth, promote a healthier, more-educated population, and strengthen good governance, according to a statement by the agency yesterday.
USAID, Mission Director, Michael Harvey said: “Today we are pleased to contribute additional funding in support of the agreement signed with the Nigerian government in 2015.” He added that: “With theleadership, we know this funding will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
In an effort to align Nigeria’s development plans with sector-specific strategies, USAID collaborated with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning; Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education; and state-level government counterparts to structure the agreement, which is in place till 2020.
In addition to the developmental funding, the US provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in the country and throughout the Lake Chad Basin.
Since fiscal year 2015, the US has provided more than $366 million in humanitarian assistance and continues to be the single largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the region.
