The Nigerian Senate has approved an additional N300 billion for the health sector in the 2025 national budget, aiming to fill the gap left by the United States’ suspension of foreign aid.
The decision, made shortly before passing the budget—now increased from N54.2 trillion to N54.9 trillion—seeks to sustain key health interventions previously funded by US assistance. The additional allocation, approximately $200 million, will support critical programs targeting Tuberculosis, HIV, Malaria, and Polio.
Impact of US Aid Freeze on Nigeria’s Health Sector
Following his January 20 inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders affecting global health funding, disrupting aid-dependent countries like Nigeria. One such order halted foreign aid disbursement for three months, stalling initiatives under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a major source of HIV intervention funding in Nigeria.
Though PEPFAR later received a limited waiver, allowing some services to resume, uncertainty persists. The situation worsened as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—a key implementer of US health programs—faced potential dissolution, leading to the suspension of all USAID-funded interventions in Nigeria.
Adding to the strain, President Trump withdrew the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), forcing the UN agency to cut costs and review its global health programs, further impacting Nigeria’s healthcare funding.
Nigeria’s Response: Strengthening Domestic Funding
In response, the Nigerian government has pledged to increase domestic health funding to ensure sustainability. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) acknowledged that the US executive orders highlighted the urgency of reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign aid.
Additionally, the government has committed to local production of essential medical supplies, including HIV test kits and antiretroviral drugs, to strengthen the country’s healthcare system amid global funding uncertainties.
With the Senate’s latest budget approval, Nigeria is taking proactive steps to safeguard its health sector against external financial disruptions, ensuring continued access to critical healthcare services.
