HIV Treatment Gets Boost: FEC Allocates N4.8bn Amid US Policy Shift

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a ₦4.8 billion fund for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs, ensuring continued care for people living with the virus despite global funding uncertainties.

This decision, announced after the FEC meeting on Monday, February 3, comes in response to concerns over Donald Trump’s executive order, which temporarily suspended funding to a key donor organization supporting HIV/AIDS relief in Nigeria.

The suspension raised fears over the impact on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has played a critical role in Nigeria’s HIV response for two decades. In light of this, the Nigerian government is taking proactive steps to strengthen its domestic funding for HIV treatment.

Speaking on the approval, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, emphasized the government’s commitment to sustaining life-saving treatment for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria.

“This is an important signal that the federal government is committed to ensuring that life-saving treatments remain accessible, despite the changing dynamics in external support,” Pate stated.

PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment to over 20.6 million people worldwide, faced temporary disruption due to Trump's executive order, which halted several overseas assistance programs. However, in a recent development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted an ‘emergency humanitarian waiver,’ allowing PEPFAR to resume operations in 55 countries, including Nigeria.

Despite this relief, Pate reassured stakeholders that the Nigerian government is developing a transition and sustainability plan to reduce reliance on foreign aid and ensure uninterrupted HIV treatment.

Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS has long been supported by international donors, but this latest move signals a shift towards greater self-reliance in public health funding. The ₦4.8 billion investment is a crucial step in securing long-term treatment accessibility for those who depend on it.