“We May Be Poor, But We Won’t Beg Anyone” – Nigeria’s Minister on USAID Exit

In the wake of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) exit from Nigeria, the country’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to self-sufficiency in healthcare and social welfare.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Friday, Pate stressed that Nigeria, despite economic challenges, remains capable of managing its own affairs.

“We may be a poor country, but we are a capable country, and we are determined to own up to that responsibility,” he said. “If others step in and support us, we appreciate it, but we are not begging for it, and we also will live within what we have.”

This statement comes amid growing controversy surrounding USAID, following allegations of corruption and misconduct within the agency. Recently, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who leads the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under former President Donald Trump’s administration, accused USAID of being a “criminal organization.” In multiple social media posts, Musk described the agency as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.”

The agency has also come under fire from U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, who, during a congressional hearing on government efficiency, accused USAID of funding terrorist groups, including Boko Haram. Perry further alleged that the agency misallocated $136 million to construct 120 schools in Pakistan, raising concerns about financial transparency.

While USAID’s departure from Nigeria raises questions about the future of foreign aid in the country, Pate’s remarks signal a strong stance on self-reliance.