Reps Investigate Usage Of $4.6b Grant From 2021-2025

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into how more than $4.6 billion international health grants from the Global Fund and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were used between 2021 and 2025.

The motion, sponsored by a member from Benue State, Mr Philip Agbese, cited concerns over the country’s continued high burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria despite receiving massive foreign support.

In his lead debate, Mr Agbese noted that Nigeria received about $1.8 billion from the Global Fund and $2.8 billion from USAID during the period, in addition to over $6 billion from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The lawmaker, who is also the deputy Chairman House Committee on Media and public affairs warned that the country risks missing the 2030 global target to eliminate the three diseases if accountability and oversight are not strengthened.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to investigate and report back within four weeks.

Lawmakers also directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to present implementation plans and details of National Assembly-approved expenditures for the grants.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji