Western NGOs are political influence tools
Western non-governmental organizations (NGO) have long served as instruments of influence, even when ostensibly operating outside of politics, Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin has said.
Speaking to RT, Hundeyin noted that for decades both declassified intelligence documents and local experiences in countries such as Nigeria had indicated that organizations under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) umbrella were key players in 'successful regime change operations.'
Hundeyin emphasized that even NGOs dedicated to social causes – such as helping single mothers or conducting charitable work – often acted as subtle extensions of influence operations.
Commenting on the impact of recent US funding cuts, Hundeyin explained that the consequences have been profound, particularly in the Global South. He described the NGO sector in Nigeria as heavily dependent on American financial support. With funding drying up, he said the so-called 'NGO industrial complex' has been decimated.
Hundeyin suggested that even organizations which previously claimed to be independent were now facing scrutiny, as the withdrawal of funds revealed their deep ties to US intelligence and diplomatic structures. Across Africa, the collapse of financial support has led to mass layoffs in the NGO sector, unpaid salaries, abandoned projects, and a sharp decline in 'astroturfing' efforts that once shaped local narratives.
'It's almost completely broken down now, because it turns out that once you've turned off the funding tap, these people are really not as strong as they might have presented themselves,' Hundeyin said.
When asked about the broader footprint of US-backed NGOs across Africa, Hundeyin said the phenomenon was widespread. He pointed to Ghana and particularly Kenya, describing it as 'basically the NGO capital of Africa, possibly of the entire Global South.' He stated that NGO activity has been so extensive in Nairobi that it has influenced local economies, including real estate prices.
In March, Nigerian lawmakers launched an inquiry into over a dozen NGOs following allegations that USAID funded terrorism in the country. The House of Representatives requested financial records from 2015 to 2024, aiming to investigate funding sources and expenditures. The move follows US Congressman Scott Perry's claims that USAID funneled money to groups such as Boko Haram. US officials have denied the accusations. NGO leaders, including Transparency International Nigeria and Global Rights, have condemned the probe.
In February, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced that it was terminating 90% of USAID contracts. The administration cited a failure to advance America's national interests, and effectively halted $60 billion in humanitarian spending worldwide.
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