Nigeria’s House of Representatives has opened an investigation into how billions of dollars in foreign health grants were spent between 2021 and 2025, as the country continues to battle high rates of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. The probe, announced on Tuesday in Abuja, will scrutinize over $4.6 billion in international health funding from organizations such as the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The lawmakers said the decision followed growing concerns that despite massive financial inflows into Nigeria’s health sector, the country still records some of the worst disease statistics in the world. Reports indicate that Nigeria alone accounts for nearly 31 percent of global malaria deaths, while thousands continue to die from preventable diseases every year.
A Wake-Up Call for Accountability
According to the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, the investigation will review how each dollar was utilized, who managed the grants, and what tangible results were achieved. The committee will also examine the contracts awarded, procurement processes, and monitoring systems used by the agencies responsible for executing the health programs.
Committee chairman Hon. Amobi Ogah described the probe as a necessary step toward restoring public confidence in the nation’s healthcare system. “Nigeria cannot continue to receive billions in donor support while our people still die in large numbers from diseases that are preventable,” he said. “We need to know where the money went, who spent it, and what impact it has had.”
The committee has been given one month to complete its assignment and submit its findings to the House for legislative action.
Billions Spent, Yet Little to Show
Between 2021 and 2025, Nigeria received approximately $4.6 billion in donor support aimed at strengthening its fight against infectious diseases. The funding was expected to improve access to antiretroviral drugs, distribute mosquito nets across rural communities, upgrade health infrastructure, and support vaccination drives.
However, critics say there is little evidence to show that these goals have been achieved. Many hospitals and primary healthcare centers in rural Nigeria remain understaffed, under-equipped, and poorly funded. Reports from local NGOs suggest that a large portion of the grants may have been mismanaged through inflated contracts, ghost projects, and poor oversight.
Public health experts argue that Nigeria’s health outcomes do not match the size of the investment it has received. “When you compare the amount of aid we have received to our actual performance in disease control, the difference is alarming,” said Dr. Ifeoma Anozie, a Lagos-based epidemiologist. “It points to systemic inefficiency, weak governance, and a lack of accountability in how health programs are implemented.”
Transparency Demands Grow
Civil society groups and health activists have applauded the lawmakers for initiating the probe but are calling for total transparency. They are urging the House Committee to make its findings public and hold any corrupt officials accountable.
“We need more than just another report,” said the Health Reform Coalition of Nigeria in a statement. “This should not end up as another political exercise. Nigerians have the right to know how donor funds meant to save lives were used—or misused.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the investigation. In a press briefing, a ministry spokesperson said that most of the funds were “judiciously applied” and that the government has records to prove their proper utilization.
“We welcome this probe because it will give Nigerians a clearer understanding of how these funds were managed,” the spokesperson added. “We have nothing to hide.”
Donor Confidence at Risk
Analysts warn that the outcome of the investigation could have major implications for Nigeria’s relationship with its international partners. If large-scale mismanagement or diversion of funds is confirmed, donor agencies may reconsider future commitments or impose stricter conditions on future grants.
Nigeria has historically been one of the largest recipients of global health funding in Africa. Programs such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund have played critical roles in providing free antiretroviral treatment for millions of people living with HIV, as well as in reducing malaria-related deaths. However, persistent reports of corruption and inefficiency threaten to erode donor confidence.
International development expert Dr. Sani Abdullahi explained that “donors are becoming more cautious about where their money goes. If Nigeria wants to maintain support, it must show that it can manage funds transparently and produce measurable results.”
The Bigger Picture
Beyond donor concerns, the investigation highlights a deeper issue—the structural weakness of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Years of underfunding, brain drain, poor data management, and political interference have made it difficult for even well-intentioned programs to succeed.
Experts say that unless Nigeria strengthens its health governance framework, increases domestic funding, and invests in community health infrastructure, foreign grants alone will not solve its problems.
“The focus should not just be on who stole what,” Dr. Anozie added. “We must also ask why our system allows such leakages to happen. That’s the only way to achieve lasting reform.”
What Happens Next
The House Committee is expected to present its findings before the end of November 2025. Lawmakers have hinted that criminal investigations may follow if evidence of embezzlement or abuse of office is uncovered.
In the meantime, Nigerians are watching closely, hopeful that this probe will lead to real change rather than another round of political drama.
For now, the question remains: after billions in donor funding and countless promises, why are Nigeria’s people still dying from diseases that the rest of the world has learned to control?
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