House of reps
A house of representatives committee has commenced a probe into the utilisation of the $1.8 billion and $2.8 billion Nigeria received as grants from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025.
The funds were provided to support the country’s response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public health systems.
Speaking on Monday at the opening session of the investigative hearing, Amobi Ogah, chairman of the house committee on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, said Nigeria is “battered” by the burden of infectious diseases.
“It appears that while budgetary allocations and donor funds are mobilised for the response against these health challenges, there is no reprieve in sight as Nigerians are ravaged daily,” Ogah said.
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The lawmaker said the country must be given a free hand to manage any grant received to address its most pressing health challenges without interference from the grantor.
“Any grant or assistance being given to us without us managing such a grant is unacceptable. If they would not give us such grants and assistance on our terms, then let them keep their grants,” he said.
“We must assert our capacity to take charge of our affairs, particularly in the response against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”
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He warned the health ministry and relevant agencies against spending public funds without approval and accountability.
“Anyone, whether state or non-state actors, must indeed account for every Nigerian kobo spent for the response against public health threats,” he said.
“We must maximise and efficiently utilise 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.
“This is even more critical when you consider that some funding for terrorist activities has been traced to grants and donor funds.”
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The legislator said the parliament is amending the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Act to expand the agency’s mandate and rename it the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (NACATAM).
Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said there is a need for a gradual end to Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid in funding HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria responses.
The minister said Nigeria must take responsibility for financing its health response and emergencies.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, represented by Ibrahim Isiaka, the deputy minority whip, said the probe shows the parliament’s commitment to accountability in health funding.
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