The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the utilisation of more than $4.6 billion in grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025 for the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and other health challenges.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Philip Agbese during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Agbese noted that Nigeria received about $1.8 billion in grants from the Global Fund and an additional $2.8 billion from USAID within the period under review to combat HIV, malaria, polio, and TB. He added that the country also benefited from over $6 billion in assistance from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) aimed at improving Nigeria’s health system capacity.
He expressed concern that despite these substantial investments, Nigeria continues to record one of the highest global burdens of HIV, TB, and malaria.
According to him, about 15,000 children under the age of 14 and 51,000 adults died from AIDS-related causes in 2023, placing Nigeria third globally in HIV deaths and first in West and Central Africa for HIV cases. He also stated that the country ranks first in Africa and sixth globally in TB burden, while accounting for 26.6 percent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of malaria deaths.
“The 2030 target under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eliminate HIV, TB, and malaria may not be achievable if the current situation persists,” Agbese warned.
He lamented the absence of coordinated and robust legislative oversight on how these donor funds are managed, despite constitutional powers enabling the National Assembly to summon agencies and demand accountability.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to investigate the utilisation of all grants received from 2021 to 2025 and report back within four weeks.
It also directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to present the implementation plan and relevant approvals granted by the National Assembly for the expenditure of the funds.
Observers say the investigation could shed light on how Nigeria’s health institutions have managed billions in donor assistance amid ongoing concerns over weak transparency and poor health outcomes.