Reps probe $4.6bn health grants, demand oversight of HIV, malaria funds

The House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases has intensified its investigation into the utilisation of about $4.6 billion in donor-funded health grants, calling for stricter oversight and improved coordination among implementing organisations.

The funds, sourced largely from the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development, were disbursed between 2021 and 2025 to support Nigeria’s response to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases.

Chairman of the committee, Amobi Ogah, made the position known on Sunday in Abuja during an oversight visit to key grant recipients, including the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Family Health International and Catholic Relief Services.

Ogah, while commending the organisations for their contributions to disease control, stressed that tighter monitoring mechanisms would now be enforced to ensure transparency, accountability and value for money.

“It is imperative that every mobilised resource must be judiciously expended and accounted for. Therefore, the committee is charging all Global Fund recipients to sit up, as it will no longer be business as usual,” he said.

He added that all implementing partners would henceforth be required to submit their programme plans directly to the National Assembly for approval, alongside quarterly reports detailing their activities.

“To this end, all recipients of Global Fund grants and sub-recipients are to submit their implementation plans to the parliament for approval, in addition to quarterly reports, so that strict adherence to transparency and accountability can be ensured,” Ogah stated.

Nigeria remains one of the largest beneficiaries of Global Fund support globally, receiving billions of dollars over the years to combat major public health challenges. The country currently has the second-largest HIV burden worldwide, while malaria continues to be a leading cause of death, particularly among children under five.

At the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Dakum, described the committee’s visit as timely, noting that it provided an opportunity to highlight both achievements and gaps in programme implementation.

A presentation by Dr Adetiba Temitope revealed that the institute received about $359.4 million from the Global Fund between 2021 and 2026, with an additional $170.96 million expected. He noted that procurement processes were largely handled directly by the Global Fund through approved vendors.

At Catholic Relief Services, Country Representative, Akim Kikonda, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to accountability and transparency, pledging continued collaboration with the National Assembly.

Similarly, Victor Ogbodo of Family Health International said the engagement underscored the importance of synergy between lawmakers, implementing partners and other stakeholders in strengthening Nigeria’s response to infectious diseases.

FHI 360 disclosed that it received $290.44 million between January 2021 and December 2023, disbursing $223.99 million before the programme ended, while Catholic Relief Services reported receiving $74.784 million within the review period.

As part of the ongoing probe, the committee has directed all beneficiary organisations to submit detailed financial records, including bank statements and procurement documents, signalling a more assertive legislative approach to monitoring donor-funded interventions.