The House of Representatives has officially commenced an investigative hearing into the utilisation of over $4.6 billion in grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund ($1.8 billion) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ($2.8 billion) between 2021 and 2025.

The funds were allocated to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, while bolstering the country's public health infrastructure.

The probe, initiated by the House Committee on Infectious Diseases (formerly the Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control), kicked off on Monday during a high-profile session in Abuja.

It stems from a plenary resolution on October 21, 2025, mandating a comprehensive review amid concerns over persistent high disease burdens despite massive inflows.

Declaring the hearing open, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas represented by Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka emphasised the National Assembly's commitment to transparency and accountability in health funding.

Committee Chairman Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah described Nigeria as "battered" by infectious diseases, noting no reprieve despite billions mobilised.

"It appears that while budgetary allocations and donor funds are mobilised... Nigerians are ravaged daily," Ogah said. He warned: "The era of spending Nigeria’s money without approval and accountability is over."

Ogah directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Nigeria, principal recipients, and implementing partners to submit implementation plans for National Assembly approval before future disbursements.

He stressed Nigeria must no longer be a "mere spectator" in managing its grants: "Any assistance given must allow Nigeria to manage these funds... If they would not give us such grants on our terms, then let them keep their grants."

The committee also invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to track expenditures, raising alarms that some donor funds may have been diverted to terrorist activities.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, welcomed the probe, calling for a gradual shift from foreign dependency.

"Nigeria must take greater responsibility for financing its health priorities as donor funding declines," Pate said, noting domestic spending remains below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark.

Ogah revealed plans to amend the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Act, transforming it into the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (NACATAM) for better coordination.

Despite the grants representing about 90% of intervention funding Nigeria bears heavy burdens: third globally in HIV deaths (51,000 in 2023, including 15,000 children); first in Africa and sixth worldwide in TB (4.6% global cases); highest malaria load (26.6% cases, 31% deaths).

Lawmakers fear failure to meet UN SDG targets for elimination by 2030 without urgent reforms.

Attendees included NACA Director-General, Global Fund and USAID representatives, civil society organisations, and anti-graft officials.

Ogah clarified the exercise is "an essential ingredient of democracy" and not a witch-hunt.