Reps to probe $4.6bn grants for HIV, TB, malaria response

The house of representatives has resolved to probe the utilisation of $1.8 billion and $2.8 billion in 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 support the country’s response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public health systems.

The motion, sponsored by Amobi Godwin Ogah, a lawmaker from Abia, was presented on the floor by Philip Agbese, deputy spokesperson of the house, during Tuesday’s plenary.

Moving the motion, Agbese, noted that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002 to mobilise resources and accelerate global efforts to end the epidemics, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

He said Nigeria has received an estimated $1.8 billion in grants from the Global Fund between 2021 and 2025 to combat HIV, TB, and malaria.

Agbese said over $2.8 million has been received from USAID between 2022 and 2024 to address health challenges such as HIV, malaria, polio, and TB.

He said the US president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) contributed over $6 billion to Nigeria from 2021 to 2025 for combating HIV/AIDS and strengthening health and community systems.

The lawmaker said the health and social welfare ministry oversees USAID grants, while the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria is responsible for implementing the Global Fund grants.

The house deputy spokesperson said despite the significant investments, Nigeria remains burdened by public health threats, including 15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children aged 0-14 in 2023, and 51,000 in 2023, ranking Nigeria third globally in HIV-related deaths.

“The highest malaria burden globally, with 26.6 percent of cases and 31 percent of deaths worldwide — Nigeria ranking first in Africa and sixth globally in TB burden, accounting for 4.6 percent of the global TB burden,” he said.

He said the United Nations sustainable development goal (SDG) sets 2030 as the target for eliminating HIV, TB, and malaria, a goal Nigeria is unlikely to achieve if current trends persist.

Agbese said there has been “no comprehensive and coordinated oversight” by the national assembly regarding the implementation and utilisation of these grants.

He said without immediate re-evaluation and “robust” oversight, Nigeria risks failing to meet the 2030 elimination target, continuing to bear an enormous disease burden and suffering significant population losses.

Consequently, the house mandated the committee on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria control to investigate the utilisation of grants received by Nigeria from 2021 to 2025 and report within four weeks for further legislative action.