A call for self-reliance: Why Trump’s HIV funding cut is a wake-up call for Nigeria

BY OLU ALLEN

For decades, foreign aid has been a double-edged sword for Nigeria. While it has provided critical support in areas like healthcare, it has also enabled a culture of dependency and mismanagement. President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend HIV funding for Nigeria is not an act of cruelty: it is a necessary intervention. It forces Nigeria to confront its systemic failures and take responsibility for its own healthcare system. This decision, though controversial, is an opportunity for Nigeria to break free from the cycle of aid dependency and corruption and to invest in sustainable, homegrown solutions to its public health challenges.

Nigeria’s leaders have long prioritised vanity projects over the welfare of their citizens. In 2023 alone, the government allocated billions of naira to luxury items: luxury SUVs for lawmakers, a presidential yacht, and the renovation of official residences.

Meanwhile, universities grapple with power outages, underfunded research, and unpaid staff. The healthcare sector, particularly HIV treatment and research, has been starved of resources.

Corruption is rampant. Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Nigeria 150th out of 180 countries, reinforcing concerns about financial mismanagement. The Global Fund, which has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s HIV response, has repeatedly raised concerns about misuse and lack of transparency in the allocation of funds.

Nigeria’s reliance on foreign aid for HIV treatment is a symptom of a larger problem: a lack of political will to fund its own healthcare system. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been a lifeline for Nigeria, providing over $6 billion since 2003. However, this generosity has inadvertently allowed Nigerian leaders to neglect their responsibilities.

Other countries have shown that transitioning from aid dependence to self-sufficiency is possible. Rwanda, for instance, has used foreign aid as a stepping stone to build a robust healthcare system, investing heavily in local infrastructure and training. Nigeria, with its vast oil wealth and status as Africa’s largest economy, has no excuse for not doing the same.

Nigeria has the potential to become a leader in HIV research and treatment. The country is home to world-class scientists and institutions, such as the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the University of Ibadan, which have made strides in healthcare innovation. However, these institutions are chronically underfunded.

Instead of relying on foreign donations of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), Nigeria should invest in local pharmaceutical production. Fidson Healthcare Plc was the first company in sub-Saharan Africa to manufacture antiretroviral drugs, demonstrating that Nigeria has the capacity to produce essential medicines domestically. However, pharmaceutical companies need more government support to scale up production and reduce dependency on imports.

Policy solutions are clear:

1. Reallocate funds from luxury expenditures to healthcare

2. Establish public-private partnerships

3. Increase the healthcare budget to at least 15 percent of total government spending, as recommended by the Abuja Declaration

Critics argue that halting U.S. funding will exacerbate Nigeria’s HIV crisis. While the immediate impact may be challenging, the status quo is not sustainable. Mismanaged aid does not solve the problem—it perpetuates it.

Moreover, Nigeria has the resources to fund its own healthcare system. With a GDP of over $440 billion and tens of billions in oil revenues, the issue is not a lack of money but a lack of priorities. The government must be held accountable for its spending decisions.

President Trump’s decision to halt HIV funding is not a punishment rather it is a wake-up call. Nigeria must seize this moment to take control of its healthcare system and invest in the well-being of its people. The government must redirect funds from unnecessary luxuries to critical healthcare needs and citizens must demand accountability from their leaders.

The path to self-reliance will not be easy, but it is necessary. Nigeria has the resources, the talent, and the potential to overcome its challenges. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.

Olu Allen can be contacted via [email protected]