By Erewunmi Peace

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the management of over $4.6 billion in international health grants received by Nigeria for combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, following concerns that the huge investments have not translated into improved health outcomes.

The probe was initiated after a motion raised on the floor of the House drew attention to the apparent disconnect between the massive donor funding and the country’s continued high disease burden.

According to the motion, Nigeria reportedly received $1.8 billion from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria between 2021 and 2025, and another $2.8 billion in grants from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2022 and 2024. Lawmakers also noted that Nigeria benefited from more than $6 billion through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) during the same period.

Despite these inflows, Nigeria remains one of the worst-hit countries globally for the three diseases. The motion cited that the country accounts for 26.6% of global malaria cases, 31% of malaria deaths, and about 4.6% of the global TB burden.

“It is troubling that despite billions of dollars invested in Nigeria’s health sector by international partners, the country continues to record poor outcomes,” one lawmaker said during plenary.

“This investigation is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public health funds.”

The House subsequently directed its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control to investigate the utilisation of the funds and report back within four weeks. The committee is expected to summon key officials from the Ministry of Health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and other implementing partners for questioning.

Observers say the probe underscores growing concerns about transparency in donor-funded health programmes, particularly amid reports of dwindling U.S. aid and the need for Nigeria to increase domestic funding for healthcare.

As of press time, neither the Federal Ministry of Health nor international donor agencies had issued official statements in response to the probe.