Nigerian Lawmaker "Amobi OgahÔÇØ Blows Whistle on Global Fund Mismanagement - Demands Parliamentary Oversight and Full Accountability

.... Rt. Hon. Amobi Ogah drops bombshell at Global Fund retreat, exposes hidden lapses, backs $200m government intervention, and calls for law to criminalize discrimination against TB patients

[caption id="attachment_191807" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah (Middle- Wearing White Agbada with black cap), Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control (ATM)[/caption]

IKEJA, LAGOS - JULY 2, 2025 - In what has been described as one of the most candid and explosive keynote speeches delivered by a Nigerian lawmaker in recent times, Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control (ATM), has raised serious concerns over the lack of transparency, accountability, and coordination in the disbursement and management of Global Fund resources in Nigeria.

Addressing participants at the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Nigeria Annual Retreat and inauguration of reconstituted members at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, which held from July 1st to 2rd, 2025, Hon. Ogah called for legislative oversight over the operations of the CCM and demanded a total review of fund disbursement protocols, warning that Nigerian lives and public trust are at stake.

"We Represent the People - Nigerians Deserve to Know Where the Money GoesÔÇØ

Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, stressed that the Nigerian Parliament has a constitutional duty to oversee all financial inflows into the country, whether foreign or domestic, particularly those meant to address critical public health issues like HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

"We must make sure that every kobo received from the Global Fund is properly accounted for. These funds are not charity; they are investments in Nigerian lives,ÔÇØ he said. "The Parliament cannot continue to operate in the dark while funds meant for our people are shrouded in secrecy.ÔÇØ

Hon. Ogah lamented that when the ATM Committee attempted to investigate how recipients of Global Fund grants were utilizing the funds, they met a brick wall.

"Some organizations had no verifiable addresses. The process of accountability was filled with buck-passing. It appeared like a secret cult. This must change,ÔÇØ he declared.

Parliament to CCM: "We Must Sit on the BoardÔÇØ

The lawmaker proposed including Parliament as a permanent representative on the board of the CCM Nigeria, arguing that it is the only way to bridge the communication gap between the Global Fund coordinating body and lawmakers.

"The CCM must no longer function in isolation from the Nigerian Parliament. We are not enemies - we are stakeholders. Oversight is not interference, it is our mandate,ÔÇØ he emphasized.

Malaria Epidemic - A Scandal in Progress

While expressing disappointment with the HIV and malaria program managers, Ogah described the state of malaria control in Nigeria as an ongoing national scandal.

"Malaria is still ravaging our people. It has reached epidemic proportions, yet we don't know what the government is doing to stop it,ÔÇØ he said.

Ogah revealed that the House Committee on ATM had previously moved a motion to conduct a baseline survey on fake and substandard anti-malaria drugs across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. However, the motion suffered setbacks due to the lack of collaboration from malaria stakeholders.

"We recommended that malaria treatment be made free at all primary health care centers, but nothing significant has happened,ÔÇØ he said, expressing frustration over what he called the "culture of indifferenceÔÇØ in the sector.

Praise for TB Stakeholders: A Model of Partnership

In stark contrast to the malaria and HIV programs, Hon. Ogah commended the Tuberculosis (TB) stakeholders for their willingness to partner with Parliament. He cited their collaboration in 2024 that led to a major legislative push for TB support in Nigeria.

"With TB stakeholders, we have built a working relationship. We passed a resolution on the need to translate TB commitments into action,ÔÇØ he said.

He noted that the Committee worked with the Office of the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, and the Global TB Caucus to relaunch the Nigeria TB Parliamentary Caucus.

Currently, the TB (Anti-Discrimination) Bill 2025 has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives. The Bill seeks to outlaw any form of discrimination against TB patients in Nigeria and to promote equal access to treatment.

A Vision for Sustainable Health Financing

Ogah's keynote also highlighted the importance of reducing Nigeria's dependence on foreign aid. He referenced his past warnings that donor fatigue could cripple Africa's health systems if local governments failed to increase domestic funding.

"We were once lone voices calling for domestic investment in health. Now the U.S. has suspended its support to African health systems. Luckily, the Nigerian government has committed $200 million to sustain the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria,ÔÇØ he noted.

He urged the CCM and all stakeholders to channel these funds efficiently and transparently, reminding them that every kobo must make a difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Final Call: "From Today, It Must Be Well with NigeriaÔÇØ

Ending his speech on a hopeful note, Hon. Ogah invoked an Igbo proverb: "Osita DinmaÔÇØ, which translates to "From today, it shall be well.ÔÇØ

"From today, we must do better. We must rebuild trust, ensure full accountability, and work together to protect the health and dignity of every Nigerian,ÔÇØ he declared to resounding applause.