How U.S. aid suspension may cost Nigeria $1b in health funding, others yearly

THE GUARDIAN

• Nigeria among top eight priority countries for U.S. assistance
• U.S. committed over $767m to Nigeria in 2024; $1.16b in 2022
• $370m went to health funding; $310m for humanitarian aid in 2024
• U.S. malaria intervention covers over 2.2 million; 13m girls on HPV vaccines

The recent executive order by President Donald Trump halting foreign aid for 90 days, and the likelihood of a longer pause in the foreign assistance, may cost Nigeria an average of $1 billion in health and other humanitarian interventions yearly if sustained.

Though the two countries are 11,472 km apart, the United States’ foreign assistance policy has traditionally raked in significant aid to Nigeria, with the highest sum of $1.16 billion spent in 2022, and $767 million in 2024.

Recall that the U.S. government announced a freeze on almost all new funding for foreign assistance programmes, with exceptions for allies Israel and Egypt. The order from the U.S. State Department at the weekend also includes exceptions for emergency food programmes, but not health programmes that supporters say provide vital, life-saving services.

Humanitarian organisations have expressed shock at the directive, voicing fears that it could contribute to global instability and loss of lives.

Should the aids stop, Nigeria would need to explore alternative sources to block holes created by the donor fund, which may include borrowing thereby compounding the country’s debt burden.

Presently, millions of Nigerians that are battling one ailment or the other, and rely heavily on U.S. assistance face an uncertain future. This freeze has the potential to disrupt vital health programmes, and economic growth, as well as, compromise security efforts that are pivotal to Nigeria’s development.

Nigeria has always been among the top eight priority countries of U.S. foreign assistance. A 2024 partly reported foreign assistance record obtained by The Guardian showed that Nigeria received $370 million in health funding; $310 million in humanitarian aid; $35 million went into administrative cost; $24 million on education; agriculture got $7.8 million and $7.4 was spent on other concerns last year.

Specifically, the U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria, in its 2024 report, provided some details about assistance to different sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

It disclosed that the United States provided malaria prevention medicine to 2.2 million children aged three to 59 months as part of several campaigns.

Additionally, the U.S. supported 13 million girls aged nine to 14 with Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations aimed at preventing cancer.

Similarly, the U.S. made significant strides in the fight against HIV and tuberculosis, delivering services to 1.57 million people living with HIV; screening 19.8 million Nigerians for tuberculosis, and training 55 public health emergency managers to respond to cholera and Lassa fever outbreaks.

Within the economic sector, the U.S. closed seven deals worth $1.5 billion through Prosper Africa, creating jobs and expanding Nigeria’s economy. This is just as American aid helped students to access $30 million in scholarships, while more than 3.6 million teaching and learning materials were delivered to classrooms nationwide.

On the security front, the U.S. provided $40 million in military security assistance to Nigeria in 2024 and trained 60 members of the Nigerian military at professional military schools in America. The United States, in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, also deployed early warning software to quickly identify and address emerging conflicts in the region.

Furthermore, over $50 million was allocated for criminal justice and civilian security reforms, expanding legal aid services to over 5,000 Nigerians in courts and correctional centres. The United States support also provided farmers with over $55 million in agriculture-related financing.

Also worthy of mention, is the fact that through PEPFAR’s commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS, more than 17 million lives across 54 countries have been saved.

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