House probes $4.6bn health grants from Global Fund and USAID to ensure transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s health sector funding

The House of Representatives on Monday launched a sweeping investigation into the management of over $4.6 billion in health sector grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025.

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The probe, spearheaded by the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, aims to scrutinise how $2.8 billion from the Global Fund and $1.8 billion from USAID both dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria — were applied and whether they achieved intended outcomes.

Declaring the hearing open in Abuja, Committee Chairman Amobi Ogah said the investigation seeks to ensure that the substantial donor funding has delivered real benefits for Nigerians battling infectious diseases.

“Nigeria continues to grapple with the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Despite substantial financial commitments, the expected relief for our people is yet to be realised,” Ogah stated.

The House had, during plenary on October 21, 2025, directed the former Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to undertake the inquiry.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas later expanded its scope and re-designated it as the Committee on Infectious Diseases to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s public health response.

Ogah emphasised that the committee will not only review spending patterns but also assess transparency and accountability mechanisms, noting that about 90 per cent of Nigeria’s disease-control programmes are financed by international partners.

“The era of Nigeria being a passive beneficiary is over. Any assistance that sidelines our institutions will no longer be tolerated,” he warned.

He further directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Country Coordinating Mechanism to submit detailed operational blueprints for all implementing agencies before accessing future donor funds.

The lawmaker also revealed that the House is drafting a bill to amend the National Agency for the Control of AIDS Act, expanding it into the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to coordinate multi-sectoral responses to infectious diseases.

Ogah added that the committee will work closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to trace donor fund flows and verify reports linking some diversions to terror financing.

“This is not a witch-hunt but a democratic oversight process to guarantee value for every dollar and naira committed to public health,” he clarified.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate, who addressed the hearing, commended donor agencies for their life-saving interventions but said Nigeria must begin to take greater responsibility for its health financing.

“After more than two decades of donor support, it is time for Nigeria to take full ownership of its health financing priorities,” Pate said, stressing that transparency in grant utilisation would attract more domestic investment.

Declaring the hearing open on behalf of the Speaker, Ibrahim Isiaka reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to accountability, saying the outcome would strengthen governance in the health sector.

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“The outcome of this investigation will provide an evidence-based report detailing how the grants were obtained, disbursed, and applied,” he said.