The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to support Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS, a move seen as a critical intervention following uncertainties in international funding.
The decision comes after the United States government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing a controversial funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries, including Nigeria. The funding pause was initially imposed under an executive directive by US President Donald Trump, as part of a broader reassessment of America’s foreign aid commitments.
Following the temporary waiver granted by the US government, Nigeria’s FEC moved swiftly to approve N4.5 billion for HIV treatment to prevent further disruptions in care. The government plans to procure 150,000 HIV treatment packs over the next four months, ensuring that patients continue to receive life-saving medication.
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Announcing the approval, Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that the move signified Nigeria’s commitment to health sovereignty and its determination to ensure uninterrupted access to HIV treatment.
“This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption,” Pate stated.
The FEC also established a committee tasked with developing a long-term sustainability plan for HIV/AIDS funding. The committee comprises representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Budget, Defence, Environment, and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
“This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” Pate added.
While Nigeria remains grateful for the US government’s contributions to its health sector over the past 20 years, Pate stressed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is now focusing on transforming Nigeria’s health sector through domestic financing and national health system strengthening.
The Trump-Era Suspension of USAID and Its Impact on Nigeria
The funding pause that triggered Nigeria’s current response was part of broader foreign aid cuts initiated by Trump, who is aggressively pursuing policies aimed at reducing America’s financial commitments to international health programs. As part of his “America First” approach, Trump seeks to drastically cut funding for global health initiatives, including those under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which had played a pivotal role in sustaining HIV/AIDS treatment in countries like Nigeria.
In 2017, Trump’s administration attempted to slash the US global health budget by nearly $2 billion, including proposed cuts to PEPFAR, family planning services, and maternal health programs. While Congress ultimately blocked the most extreme cuts, Trump’s executive orders still restricted the disbursement of foreign health aid, introducing strict new conditions for funding approval.
The freeze on USAID follows an executive order signed by Trump on January 20, initiating a 90-day pause on foreign development aid to assess its efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy. Notices were sent to USAID contractors and partners, instructing them to immediately cease operations. One such directive was received by Chemonics, a major USAID contractor responsible for delivering essential medicines globally.
This decision directly affected HIV/AIDS treatment funding, leading to delays in drug supplies and creating fears of a treatment crisis for millions of patients who depended on free antiretroviral drugs from US-funded programs.
For Nigeria, the impact was going to be severe. The country has the largest HIV epidemic in West Africa, with an estimated 1.8 million people living with the virus. For nearly two decades, Nigeria’s HIV response has been heavily reliant on donor funding, with PEPFAR alone providing over $6 billion in assistance since 2004.
However, the funding pause and its immediate consequences triggered widespread backlash, both internationally and within Nigeria, following Trump’s executive order. While many criticized the Trump administration’s decision as reckless and detrimental to global health, others turned their focus to Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid, describing it as embarrassing and unsustainable.
Several health experts, activists, and policy analysts condemned Nigeria’s over-reliance on foreign funding, arguing that the government should have long developed a self-sufficient model to fund HIV/AIDS treatment and other critical health interventions.
The frustration was not limited to medical professionals. Many Nigerians expressed anger over government waste and corruption, questioning why a country with vast natural resources could not afford to provide life-saving medications for its citizens. Civil society organizations highlighted that despite billions in oil revenue, Nigeria continued to rely on foreign donors to handle critical health crises.
Recognizing that health funding challenges extend beyond HIV treatment, the FEC has also approved a broader $1 billion initiative—the HOPE (Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity) program—designed to enhance governance and strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.
The HOPE program, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), will allocate $500 million towards governance reforms and another $500 million towards expanding primary healthcare services.
According to Pate, the governance component will encourage states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will focus on expanding access to primary care, improving service delivery, and strengthening health sector resilience.
“This programme aligns with our administration’s vision—to invest in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
While the N4.5 billion allocation for HIV treatment and the HOPE program underpins a shift towards health sector independence, sustainability challenges remain. Health experts warn that without sustained financial commitment, Nigeria risks falling back into dependence on donor aid.