…Stakeholders, Lawmakers Push for Accountability, Domestic Financing to Sustain HIV, TB, Malaria Programs
In response to the evolving global health financing landscape, the Nigeria Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) held its 2025 Annual Retreat and 70th General Meeting from July 1st to 3rd at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Held under the theme “Partnering to Improve Health Systems Outcomes in an Evolving Global Health Financing Landscape,” the retreat brought together key players in Nigeria’s health sector to re-evaluate strategies and deepen commitment to improved health outcomes.
The retreat gathered CCM members and alternates, federal legislators, Principal and Sub-Recipients, MDAs, and development partners to assess progress on the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) and strategize amid growing funding uncertainties.
Lawmakers Back Stronger Oversight, Domestic Health Financing
A major highlight was the active participation of Members of the National Assembly (NASS), who underscored the critical role of legislative oversight and domestic resource mobilization.
Delivering a keynote address, Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of Global Fund resources.
“These funds belong to Nigerians. It is only right that Parliament, which represents the people, has full oversight on how they are managed and disbursed,” Ogah stated.
Citing investigations by his committee, Ogah disclosed that several Global Fund recipients lacked verifiable operational footprints, raising red flags about accountability. He called for legislative representation on the CCM board and described the current level of access as akin to a “secret coven.”
Applause for TB Progress and Legislative Wins
Despite challenges, Ogah lauded the TB response community for its transparency and coordination, citing milestones such as:
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Nigeria’s hosting of the Global TB Caucus
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A parliamentary motion calling for increased domestic TB funding
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The re-launch of the Nigeria TB Parliamentary Caucus
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The advancement of the TB Anti-Discrimination Bill to first reading
He further announced that advocacy efforts had led to the Nigerian government committing $200 million in domestic funds to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria programming.
“For years, we were lone voices calling for increased domestic funding. Today, we’re seeing results,” Ogah said.
Reviewing Progress, Mapping the Future
Throughout the three-day retreat, participants reviewed grant performance, discussed implementation bottlenecks, and explored avenues to align partner investments and promote inter-agency collaboration. Technical sessions focused on Nigeria’s dual-track financing model, encouraging flexible and inclusive approaches.
The retreat also served as a learning platform for new legislators to understand the CCM’s governance structure and operational philosophy, especially in light of upcoming parliamentary public hearings on ATM programs.
Facing Emerging Funding Threats
Ibrahim Tajudeen, Executive Secretary of CCM Nigeria, warned of shifting global donor priorities that could jeopardize Nigeria’s progress in the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria. He called for urgent domestic resource mobilization to cushion the impact.
“The threats to the global funding landscape are becoming very scary. If we do not take proactive steps, we risk losing the gains made over the past 20 years,” Tajudeen cautioned.
Tajudeen cited progress enabled by Global Fund, PEPFAR, and government support, including:
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HIV prevalence reduced from 5.8% to 1.3%
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Malaria rates dropped from 42% to 22%
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Identification and notification of over 400,000 TB cases in 2024
A New Era of Collaboration and Accountability
The retreat concluded with renewed commitments to foster multi-sectoral collaboration, improve health governance, and maintain momentum in disease control efforts.
“Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. Parliament will not hesitate to hold every agency or recipient accountable,” Ogah said, adding in Igbo, “Osita Dinma” — “From today, it will be well.”
By bridging the gap between implementers and lawmakers, the 2025 CCM Retreat set the tone for a new era of policy synergy, transparency, and resilient health financing in Nigeria.
By Mayowa Adeniran
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