The Nigerian House of Representatives has directed its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to probe the utilisation of over $4.6 billion in foreign grants received from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025. This resolution followed a motion brought by Representative Philip Agbese, who highlighted deep concerns over Nigeria’s continued struggle with high disease burdens despite substantial donor funding.
According to Agbese, Nigeria was allocated $1.8 billion from the Global Fund between 2021 and 2025 to combat HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. Additionally, USAID provided approximately $2.8 billion from 2022 to 2024 for various health threats including HIV, malaria, polio, and TB. The country also benefited from over $6 billion in assistance through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) during the same period.
Despite these investments, the nation faces dire health outcomes. In 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded around 15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children aged 0–14 and a total of 51,000 AIDS-related deaths nationwide. Nigeria remains third globally in HIV deaths, first in Africa, and sixth worldwide in tuberculosis burden. It also bears the world’s heaviest malaria burden, accounting for about 26.6 percent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of malaria deaths.
Agbese criticized the lack of coordinated and robust oversight by the National Assembly over how these funds were utilised. He emphasized the constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, enabling the legislature to summon any ministry, agency, or non-governmental organisation for accountability in the use of public or donor funds.
The House resolution mandates the HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control Committee to conduct a thorough investigation of the funding utilisation from 2021 to 2025 and report back within four weeks for possible further legislative actions. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare is also ordered to provide the implementation plan and evidence of National Assembly approval for grant expenditures.
Agbese warned that without urgent reevaluation and better management of these donor funds, Nigeria risks failing to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of eradicating HIV, TB, and malaria by 2030. The probe seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, and improved health outcomes nationwide.This investigation underscores Nigeria’s urgent need to address systemic issues in health funding management to effectively combat these devastating diseases.
