The House of Representatives has opened an investigation into the management of $4.6 billion in foreign health grants received between 2021 and 2025, amid growing concerns that the funds have failed to significantly reduce deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Nigeria.
The resolution followed a motion adopted at Wednesday’s plenary, where lawmakers decried the continued rise in preventable deaths despite substantial international funding support.
They expressed concern that Nigeria remains among the worst-hit countries globally by the three infectious diseases, despite decades of donor intervention and government programmes.
According to data cited during the debate, Nigeria accounts for 31 percent of global malaria deaths and ranks first in Africa and sixth globally for tuberculosis cases.
Lawmakers further noted that the country recorded about 51,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023, placing it third worldwide, figures they described as unacceptable given the scale of international assistance received.
The House said the probe would focus on grants provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which together disbursed billions of dollars to Nigeria’s health sector over the past four years.
It also acknowledged that the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) contributed an additional $6 billion during the same period to support treatment and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
Lawmakers expressed fears that recent aid policy shifts under the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, including proposed cuts to global health funding, could further threaten ongoing interventions in Nigeria and other developing countries.
They stressed the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of health grants to safeguard future support.
The House consequently mandated its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to investigate the utilisation, impact, and coordination of the funds and to submit a comprehensive report within one month with recommendations for legislative and policy action.
