Reps To Probe $4.6bn received FROM Global Fund, USAID

House of Representatives is set to investigate the $4.6 billion grants, comprising the $1.8 billion the country received from the Global Fund and $2.8 billion taken from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2021 and 2025, for the response against HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and support to resilient and sustainable health systems.

This followed the adoption of a motion presented by Hon. Philip Agbese(APC, Benue) at plenary on Tuesday.

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

He also noted that Nigeria received an estimated $1.8 billion in grants from the Global Fund between 2021 and 2025 to combat HIV, TB, and malaria and over $2.8 billion from USAID for 2022 and 2024 to address similar health challenges.

The deputy House Spokesperson stated, “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 Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare oversees USAID grants, while the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria is responsible for implementing the Global Fund grants.”

He expressed concern that despite these significant investments, Nigeria remains burdened by public health threats, including “15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children aged 0-14 in 2023; 51,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023, ranking Nigeria third globally in HIV-related deaths.

“The highest malaria burden globally, with 26.6% of cases and 31% of deaths worldwide; (d) Nigeria ranking first in Africa and sixth globally in TB burden, accounting for 4.6% of the global TB burden.”

Agbese said the UN 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.

“Also concerned that there has been no comprehensive and coordinated oversight by the National Assembly regarding the implementation and utilisation of these grants.

“Worried that without immediate reevaluation and robust oversight, Nigeria risks failing to meet the 2030 elimination target, continuing to bear an enormous disease burden and suffering significant population losses,” he added.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated the Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to investigate Nigeria’s use of grants received from 2021 to 2025 to combat HIV, TB, and malaria and report within four weeks for further legislative action.