The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into how Nigeria used $4.6 billion in foreign grants received between 2021 and 2025 to fight HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria.
The funds include $1.8 billion from the Global Fund and $2.8 billion from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Motion by Hon. Philip Agbese
The decision followed a motion raised by Hon. Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) during plenary on Tuesday. He explained that the Global Fund, created in 2002, was set up to mobilise international resources to fight diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria, especially in Africa.
Agbese said that despite receiving these large sums, Nigeria is still struggling with high disease rates. He noted that the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) also provided more than $6 billion to Nigeria between 2021 and 2025 for the same purpose.
He explained that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare manages USAID grants, while the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria (CCMN) oversees the Global Fund grants.
Nigeria Still Facing Health Challenges
Agbese expressed concern that despite billions of dollars in health support, Nigeria still records alarming figures. According to him, there were about 15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children in 2023 and 51,000 total HIV-related deaths, making Nigeria the third-highest globally.
He added that Nigeria also has the world’s highest malaria burden, with 26.6% of global cases and 31% of deaths, and ranks first in Africa and sixth globally for TB infections, accounting for 4.6% of global cases.
Oversight Concerns
The lawmaker said the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to eliminate HIV, TB, and malaria by 2030, but Nigeria risks missing that target if oversight remains weak.
He lamented that there has been no comprehensive monitoring by the National Assembly to ensure the proper use of these funds.
Agbese warned that without strong oversight, Nigeria could continue to suffer high disease rates and population losses despite receiving massive international aid.
House Orders Probe
After debate, the House directed its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to investigate how the grants were used between 2021 and 2025. The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks for further legislative action.