FG targets 2030 to end donor dependence for HIV, TB programmes

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The Federal Government on Tuesday said it aims to commence self-financing for HIV and tuberculosis programmes as it plans to end donor dependence.

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This was disclosed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, in Abuja while speaking at the official launch of the Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB and the long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

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The event organised by the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare brought together government officials, development partners, civil society groups and health stakeholders.

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Pate said, “We want to exit dependency over time. By 2030, Nigeria should be able to put its own domestic resources toward the priority diseases that affect our people so that it is not consistently looking for this grant or that grant.”

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He noted that global health financing was changing rapidly and countries would have to rely more on domestic resources to sustain programmes.

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According to him, Nigeria was already taking steps to increase budgetary allocations and ensure stronger accountability in the use of funds.

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He added, “We are in a world that is far different from where we were 10 or 15 years ago in this fight.

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“Financing has become limited globally, and in such times it is innovations that will allow us to get ahead, stressing that integration of programmes would help the country use limited resources more efficiently.”

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Pate also said the government was working with states and development partners to gradually replace donor funding with domestic contributions, adding that the goal was to ensure sustainability of TB, HIV and malaria programmes beyond external support.

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Earlier, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, said the dual launch of the accountability framework and the long-acting injectable HIV prevention tool reflected a shift toward a more integrated and innovative health system.

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The minister added that the introduction of the long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug represented a major breakthrough in prevention, especially for people who face stigma or difficulty adhering to daily medication.

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Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the event marked two major milestones in Nigeria’s public health response to tuberculosis and HIV.

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“Today’s gathering is more than a ceremonial observance. It marks two significant milestones in Nigeria’s public health response — the national launch of the long-acting injectable for HIV prevention and the unveiling of the multisectoral accountability framework for TB,” she said.

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Kachollom added that the ministry remained committed to strengthening surveillance, improving access to diagnosis and treatment and expanding community-based screening to ensure that no one was left behind.

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Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally, with an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV, according to data from the government.

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Although prevalence has declined in recent years, new infections remain a major public health concern.

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Experts say prevention remains the weakest link in Nigeria’s HIV response. While oral PrEP has been available, uptake has been limited due to stigma, access barriers, and difficulties with daily adherence.

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Health economists warn that without stronger prevention strategies, Nigeria risks a steady pipeline of new infections that could strain already limited treatment resources.

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