Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze Threatens Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS Response

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has admitted it is concerned over the recent US executive order to reevaluate and realign its foreign aid. 

The Donald Trump EO includes a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance, which could significantly disrupt Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response.

Nigeria has the highest number of people living with HIV in the West and Central African region. The country relies heavily on US support, which covers approximately 90% of its treatment burden.

US Support and PEPFAR

The US government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been instrumental in supporting Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response measures. 

PEPFAR has invested over $8.3 billion in HIV and tuberculosis prevention, care, and treatment in Nigeria since 2003. This support has helped scale up prevention, treatment, care, and support for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

However, the EO granted a waiver for lifesaving medicines and medical services, which will continue to be funded. 

Temitope Ilori, director-general of NACA, commended the US government for the waiver, saying, “The Nigerian government appreciates the US government waiver and is mindful of the potential change to foreign aid in the near future,” Ilori said.

Ilori said the Nigerian government must now develop strategies to take ownership of financing its HIV response. “We encourage the patient community to continue accessing HIV treatment services and appeal to all stakeholders to continue their commitment and support,” she added.

NACA still believes it can achieve its set target of ending the AIDS scourge in Nigeria by 2030, despite the potential disruption caused by the US aid freeze. It recognizes the importance of effective stakeholder collaboration, favourable policies, and advocacy to policymakers in achieving this goal.

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