House of Reps investigates $4.6bn global fund, USAID health grants

The House of Representatives has begun an investigation into the management of over $4.6 billion in health grants Nigeria received from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025.

The funds were provided to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), and to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

Declaring the investigative hearing open on Monday in Abuja, Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Amobi Ogah, said the probe aims to ensure transparency and accountability in how donor funds targeted at tackling infectious diseases are utilized.

“Nigeria continues to be battered by the burden of HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and other infectious diseases. While budgetary allocations and donor funds have been mobilized to fight these challenges, there is little reprieve in sight as Nigerians are still ravaged daily,” Ogah said.

He noted that about 90 percent of Nigeria’s funding for interventions against these diseases comes from international partners, stressing the need for greater national ownership in managing such resources.

“Any grant or assistance given to us without our involvement in its management is unacceptable.”

“Nigeria must assert its capacity to take charge of its affairs, especially in the response to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria,” he added.

Ogah 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 to the National Assembly for approval before the release of funds.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, who attended the session, commended the probe as a step toward promoting transparency, accountability, and local ownership of health programmes.

He acknowledged that while donor support from Global Fund and USAID has saved millions of lives, Nigeria’s health spending remains below 15 percent of national expenditure, a situation that threatens the sustainability of health interventions.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Ibrahim Isiaka, emphasized that the investigation reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that all donor and public funds in the health sector are used prudently for the benefit of Nigerians.

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