Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Following the earlier threat by the United States President Donald Trump to cut down the work force and aids to some countries, Nigeria inclusive, he has officially commenced the massive dismissal of 1,600 employees of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“All USAID direct hire personnel, except designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and/or specially designated programmes, will be placed on administrative leave globally.
“Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID personnel with duty stations in the United States,” USAID said on Sunday.
Besides, USAID is planning to organise flights, fully funded by the agency, for its overseas personnel.
The Agency said that the employees will enjoy access to its system and diplomatic channels until they return to their countries.
Recall that on February 2, Elon Musk, a U.S. entrepreneur and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief called USAID a “criminal organisation” that “needs to die.”
Musk said that Trump had agreed to close USAID.
In addition, DOGE had clarified that they were “already in the process” of closing the agency.