The House of Representatives has commenced an investigative hearing into the over $4.6 billion in global fund and USAID grants
The House of Representatives has commenced an investigative hearing into the over $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 and Malaria (ATM), as well as for strengthening health systems.
Declaring the session open in Abuja, Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah, said the inquiry was crucial to determine how the huge grants were utilized and to ensure accountability in managing funds meant to tackle infectious diseases afflicting Nigerians.
Ogah recalled that the House had, during plenary on October 21, 2025, mandated the then Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to investigate the matter.
He commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the House leadership for renaming and expanding the committee’s mandate to the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, reflecting a broader focus on public health threats.
“Nigeria continues to be battered by the ill effects of a greater burden of HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other numerous infectious diseases.
“It appears that while budgetary allocations and donor funds are mobilized for the response against these health challenges, there is no reprieve in sight as Nigerians are ravaged daily,” Rep. Ogah said.
He explained that the hearing became necessary to ascertain what had been done with the grants, noting that 90 percent of Nigeria’s intervention funds for these diseases come from international partners.
Ogah insisted that Nigeria would no longer remain a “mere spectator” in the management of grants given to it, stressing that donor funds must henceforth align with the country’s priorities.
“Any grant or assistance being given to us without us managing such grant is unacceptable. If they would not give us such grants and assistance on our terms, then let them keep their grants,” he declared.
“We must assert our capacity to take charge of our affairs, particularly in the response against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.”
He directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) to ensure that all principal recipients and implementing partners submit their implementation plans for National Assembly approval before funds are released.
“The era of spending Nigeria’s money without approval and accountability is over,” he warned.
Ogah further revealed that the House was amending the NACA Establishment Bill to transform the agency into a multi-sectoral body with an expanded mandate. When passed, it will be renamed the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (NACATAM).
He explained that the probe would assess the level of transparency and accountability in the management of donor funds since 2021.
“Anyone, whether state or non-state actors, must indeed account for every Nigerian kobo spent for the response against public health threats,” he stressed.
With the 8th replenishment of the Global Fund expected this month, Ogah said Nigeria must move away from dependency and inefficiency in managing donor resources.
“We must maximize and efficiently utilize the resources at our disposal by cutting out all forms of duplication and wastage, while allocating domestic resources to areas that will present greater value for Nigerians,” he said.
He disclosed that the committee would collaborate with the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that principal recipients and implementing partners of all grants are held accountable.
“This is even more critical when you consider that some funding for terrorist activities has been traced to grants and donor funds,” Rep. Ogah added.
The lawmaker also cautioned implementing partners to prepare for robust parliamentary oversight, noting that some lacked proper or verifiable office addresses. He said the committee would hold both the Health Ministry and the CCM responsible for ensuring accountability among all entities receiving donor funds.
Ogah emphasized that the exercise was not a witch-hunt but a democratic measure to promote transparency in health financing.
“This exercise is an essential ingredient of democracy and should not be seen as a vendetta or warfare,” he said.
“We are very clear in our vision to ensure that no Nigerian child dies before age five from HIV, Tuberculosis, or Malaria. We want to ensure that the advocacy and commitment that will lead to the elimination of infectious diseases in our country by 2030 are championed and owned by all relevant stakeholders.”
In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, called for a gradual end to Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid in funding its response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Pate said the country must assume greater responsibility for financing its health priorities as donor funding declines after two decades of support.
He described the probe as a “welcome step” toward transparency, accountability, and domestic ownership of health programmes.
The minister noted that while donor assistance has saved millions of lives, Nigeria’s health spending remains below the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target, warning that continued underfunding threatens sustainability.
Declaring the session open earlier, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, said the investigation demonstrates parliament’s commitment to ensuring transparency in health funding.
He said it would produce an “evidence-based report” on how the grants were received and utilized, as well as their impact on public health, while strengthening accountability and governance in the sector.
