The House of Representatives has commenced the probe of over $1.8 billion and $2.8 billion 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, as well as for strengthening health systems.
Declaring the session open in Abuja, Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Amobi Ogah, said the probe was essential to determine how the huge grants had been utilized and to ensure accountability in the management of funds aimed at tackling infectious diseases ravaging Nigerians.
He commended the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and the leadership of the House 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 diseasee.
“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,” Ogah said.
He said the hearing became necessary to ascertain what had been done with the huge grants received, stressing that 90 percent of the country’s intervention funds for these diseases came from international partners.
Ogah warned that Nigeria would no longer accept being a “mere spectator” in the management of grants given to it, insisting that donor funds must henceforth be managed in line with Nigeria’s priorities.
He directed the 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 approval by the National Assembly before funds are released.
Ogah also disclosed that the House was amending the NACA Establishment Bill to transform the agency into a multi-sectoral body with an expanded mandate. When passed, the agency will be renamed the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (NACATAM).
He revealed that the committee would work closely with the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that principal recipients and implementing partners of all grants account to Nigerians.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad 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 take 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.
Declaring the session open, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen represented by Ibrahim Isiaka, said the investigation reflects the parliament’s resolve to ensure transparency in health funding.
He said it would produce an evidence-based report on how the grants were received, utilized and their impact on public health, while strengthening accountability and governance in the sector.
