Nigeria to Absorb 28,000 Health Workers Previously Funded by USAID

The federal government of Nigeria is set to absorb 28,000 health workers previously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), according to Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

In an interview on Channels Television, Pate emphasized the government’s commitment to taking full responsibility for the nation’s healthcare sector amid changes in U.S. foreign aid policy. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries as part of an executive order on foreign aid, affecting the operations of USAID and other U.S.-funded health programs. This policy shift led the U.S. Department of State to suspend disbursement of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that provides treatment for over 20 million people globally, including 566,000 children under 15 in Nigeria.

Despite the setback, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) confirmed that a waiver was approved by the U.S. government, allowing people living with HIV to continue receiving treatment. In response, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a N4.5 billion allocation for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to support affected individuals.

Pate highlighted the need to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign aid, noting that the country imports over 70 percent of its medications and more than 99 percent of its medical devices. He stressed that Nigeria must take greater ownership of its healthcare sector, with only 30 percent of national health expenditure currently funded by the government, while 70 percent comes from private sources. Although foreign donors play a role in financing healthcare, their contributions do not constitute the majority of the country’s health spending.

Acknowledging the support Nigeria has received from the U.S. government, Pate called for greater collaboration between federal and state governments to bridge gaps created by the withdrawal of foreign aid. He emphasized the importance of increasing domestic investment in healthcare, asserting that quality healthcare requires substantial financial commitment.

Pate reassured Nigerians that efforts are underway to ensure a seamless transition for the 28,000 health workers previously funded by U.S. support. He reiterated that while foreign assistance is appreciated, Nigeria must take charge of its own healthcare system and work towards self-sufficiency.

“Our approach, long before the change in U.S. policy, has been to increase national ownership,” Pate stated. “These health workers are Nigerians, and we have to ensure their transition into our system.”