Source: Anthonia Obokoh

The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Nigeria and the National Assembly have issued a joint call for urgent domestic resource mobilization to fill a $100 million funding gap for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria interventions in the country.

The appeal was made during the 70th Annual Retreat and General Assembly Meeting of CCM Nigeria, which kicked off on Tuesday in Lagos as part of broader health sector reforms championed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Global Fund Cuts Create Urgent Gaps

The renewed push follows the Global Fund’s 11% reduction in Nigeria’s allocation under Grant Cycle 7. Originally slated to receive $933 million for 2024–2026, Nigeria will now receive about $830 million, leaving a $103 million shortfall in funding for disease prevention and treatment programs.

According to Dr. Jean-Thomas Nouboussi, the Global Fund’s Country Portfolio Manager for Nigeria, the cut was necessitated by international financial constraints.

“Our projections show that, because of the international context, we will not be able to raise the amount that was initially committed. Nigeria must now begin mobilizing domestic resources and plan for long-term sustainability,” Nouboussi said.

Domestic Mobilization Critical to Sustaining Health Gains

Speaking at the event, Ibrahim Tajudeen, Executive Secretary of CCM Nigeria, warned that global shifts in funding priorities pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s health system.

“If we do not mobilize domestic funding to sustain our gains, it will be a total loss,” Tajudeen cautioned.

He highlighted Nigeria’s major public health milestones, including:

• HIV prevalence drop from 5.8% to 1.3%
• Malaria incidence down from 42% to 22%
• Identification of 400,000+ TB cases in 2024 alone

These gains, Tajudeen said, risk being reversed without sustainable domestic investment.

National Assembly Backs Oversight, Transparency

Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chair of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Leprosy and Malaria Control, emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in health funding.

“Every kobo must be accounted for. We must ensure that funds, especially those from the Global Fund, are used efficiently to benefit Nigerians,” Ogah stated.

He also proposed the inclusion of a National Assembly representative on the CCM board to enhance legislative oversight and alignment between Parliament and CCM Nigeria.

Ogah noted that this collaboration would help reinforce public trust, improve communication, and ensure universal health coverage remains a shared national priority.