LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerian lawmakers in the House of Representatives have intensified scrutiny of billions in donor health funds, calling for stricter oversight of organizations managing health programmes.
The lawmakers launched a probe into the spending of $4.6 billion, mainly provided by the Global Fund and the United States Agency for International Development, to support efforts against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases between 2021 and 2025.
During an oversight visit on Sunday in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Amobi Ogah, said stronger monitoring systems are now a priority.
The visit covered major grant recipients such as the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Family Health International and Catholic Relief Services.
While acknowledging their role in disease control, Ogah warned that lax accountability will no longer be tolerated.
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“It is imperative that every mobilized 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,” Ogah said.
Shifting toward tighter control, the committee directed all implementing partners to submit programme plans directly to parliament for approval. They were also instructed to provide quarterly updates detailing spending and 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,” the lawmaker stated.
Notably, Nigeria remains one of the largest recipients of Global Fund support worldwide, reflecting the scale of its public health challenges.
The country carries the second-highest burden of HIV globally, while malaria continues to claim many lives, especially among children under five.
At the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Chief Executive Officer Patrick Dakum, called the lawmakers visit a timely intervention, saying it created room to review both successes and ongoing gaps.
Further details from Adetiba Temitope, a representative of the organization, showed the institute received about $359.4 million between 2021 and 2026, with more funding expected.
He explained that most procurement processes are handled directly by the Global Fund through approved vendors.
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Similarly, Akim Kikonda of Catholic Relief Services reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to transparency and pledged continued cooperation with lawmakers.
He reported that between January 2021 and December 2023, the organization received $74.784 million.
Also, at Family Health International (FHI), Victor Ogbodo said the engagement highlights the need for stronger collaboration between government and partners.
Financial disclosures presented to the committee showed that FHI 360 received $290.44 million between January 2021 and December 2023, disbursing most of the funds before the programme ended.
The lawmakers committee has therefore ordered all beneficiary organizations to submit detailed financial records, including bank statements and procurement documents.
Ultimately, they henceforth maintain a tougher legislative stance aimed at ensuring donor funds deliver measurable health outcomes and are fully accounted for.
