The House of Representatives, on Monday, commenced a sweeping investigation into the management of over $4.6 billion in health sector grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development between 2021 and 2025.
The inquiry, led by the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, seeks to determine how $2.8 billion from the Global Fund and $1.8 billion from USAID, both aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as strengthening Nigeria’s health systems, were utilised.
Speaking at the inauguration of the investigative hearing in Abuja, Committee Chairman Amobi Ogah said the probe was necessary to promote transparency and ensure that international aid targeting Nigeria’s health challenges delivers tangible results.
“Nigeria continues to grapple with the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Despite substantial financial commitments, the expected relief for our people is yet to be realised,” he said.
The House, during plenary on October 21, 2025, had mandated the former Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to investigate the matter.
Ogah commended the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, for expanding the committee’s mandate and renaming it the Committee on Infectious Diseases to reflect broader public health oversight.
He said the exercise was designed to scrutinise how these funds were applied, noting that about 90 per cent of Nigeria’s disease-control programs are financed by foreign partners.
He also emphasised that Nigeria must take ownership of donor-funded projects to ensure alignment with national health priorities.
“The era of Nigeria being a passive beneficiary is over. Any assistance that sidelines our institutions will no longer be tolerated. If such aid does not align with our national strategy, we can choose to forgo it,” he declared.
The lawmaker directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Country Coordinating Mechanism to submit operational blueprints for all implementing agencies before accessing future donor funds.
Ogah disclosed that the House is working on a bill to amend the National Agency for the Control of AIDS Act, which would transform the agency into the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The proposed body will coordinate Nigeria’s multi-sectoral response to major infectious diseases.
He further revealed that the probe will evaluate the transparency, efficiency, and accountability of donor-funded projects since 2021, warning that “every kobo from donor grants must be properly tracked.”
To ensure thoroughness, the Committee will collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to trace the flow of donor funds and verify reports linking some diversions to terror financing activities.
“This is not a witch-hunt but a democratic oversight process to guarantee value for every dollar and naira committed to public health,” Ogah clarified.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who also addressed the hearing, underscored the need for Nigeria to gradually reduce its reliance on external aid.
He commended donor agencies for their life-saving interventions but noted that Nigeria’s health sector financing still falls short of the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target.
“After more than two decades of donor support, it is time for Nigeria to take full ownership of its health financing priorities. Transparent use of these grants will build public trust and attract domestic investment,” Pate said.
Earlier, while declaring the hearing open on behalf of the Speaker, Ibrahim Isiaka, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to transparency and sound governance.
“The outcome of this investigation will provide an evidence-based report detailing how the grants were obtained, disbursed, and applied. It will strengthen accountability and governance structures in Nigeria’s health system,” he said.
(Punch)
