•CCM retreat sparks call for greater accountability
By Doris Obinna
Over the past two decades, Nigeria has remained one of the largest recipients of Global Fund support, benefiting from substantial investments to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria (ATM), while strengthening health systems through Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grants.
These resources have contributed significantly to expanding access to life-saving treatment, scaling up prevention initiatives, and improving service delivery across all levels of the healthcare system. However, the complexity of grant implementation and recent shifts in the global development financing landscape such as the implications of the U.S. Executive Order on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) underscore the urgent need for stronger domestic ownership, improved oversight, and more strategic alignment of resources.
In a rapidly evolving global health landscape marked by shifting donor priorities and emerging challenges, the Nigeria Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and its members and alternates, Principal Recipients, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Members of the National Assembly, and other partners, on Tuesday converged in Lagos for a three-day 2025 annual retreat.
The three-day retreat, which is expected to review and strengthen the governance and operations of CCM Nigeria in managing donor health resources, will also inaugurate its reconstituted members.
The CCM 70th general meeting and annual retreat, is a regular interaction with the organisers to foster stronger alignment and accountability across sectors. The collaboration between the National Assembly leadership and the CCM Executive, the organisers disclosed, has enhanced oversight and mobilization efforts, reinforcing the objectives of Global Fund grants.
Set against the backdrop of the ongoing implementation of Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7), the retreat presents a timely and strategic opportunity for national stakeholders to assess progress, recalibrate approaches, and build a more resilient health response framework.
Speaking, Chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control (ATM), Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, has called for greater transparency, accountability, and legislative inclusion in the management of Global Fund resources in Nigeria. According to him, it is the first time the parliament is being invited to the CCM retreat.
In his address, Ogah commended the invitation of parliamentarians to the retreat, describing it as a step toward fostering collaboration between the legislature and CCM Nigeria. He emphasized the need for effective oversight by Parliament to ensure that Global Fund resources are transparently managed and deliver tangible outcomes in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Ogah expressed concern over past experiences where recipients of Global Fund support lacked verifiable addresses and accountability, noting that the Parliament was met with resistance during oversight efforts. He criticized what he described as the opaque nature of CCM operations and called for the organization to open its processes to parliamentary scrutiny.
Broader health funding issues
The lawmaker also addressed broader health funding issues, warning of Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign aid. He recalled earlier advocacy efforts by the House Committee on ATM for increased domestic financing and celebrated the federal government’s recent allocation of $200 million for health interventions following the U.S. government’s withdrawal of support to African health systems.
He expressed disappointment with the performance of malaria and HIV program managers in the country, citing limited cooperation and poor response to parliamentary motions, including one calling for a national survey of fake anti-malaria drugs. In contrast, he praised the cooperation of TB stakeholders, highlighting legislative achievements including a House resolution on translating TB commitments into action and progress on the TB (Anti-Discrimination) Bill, 2025.
Ogah reiterated the committee’s readiness to work with stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s health system. He insisted on accountability from all agencies and emphasized the need for strict adherence to guidelines in fund disbursement.
“But this isn’t just about numbers. Health is not a donor issue it’s a national responsibility. We cannot continue to underfund life-saving programs and call ourselves responsible leaders.”
He concluded by advocating for parliamentary representation on the CCM Nigeria board to bridge communication gaps and enhance transparency.
New era of strategic vision
Also, First Vice-Chair of CCM Nigeria, Mr. Ayo Ipinmonye, highlighted that the retreat signals a new era of government ownership in health financing. According to him, at the heart of this shift is a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), designed to harmonize fragmented health funding and ensure every Naira delivers maximum value.
“With the Global Fund’s allocation to Nigeria dropping by 11per cent from $970 million to $860 million the urgency is unmistakable. It’s a call for stronger partnerships between government, legislature, civil society, and local communities. But perhaps more critically, it’s a call for accountability. From the federal down to the local level, all stakeholders must be held to the same standard. As Ipinmonye emphasized, “The media must play a watchdog role to ensure transparency across all tiers.”
Second Vice-Chair of CCM, Dr. Akinwunmi Fajola, stated: “We’ve made real progress but without sustainable domestic financing, those gains are at risk. The statistics tell a compelling story: HIV prevalence has plummeted from 5.8 per cent to 1.3 per cent. Malaria has dropped from 42 per cent to 22 per cent. TB detection now exceeds 400,000 cases annually. These are hard-won victories. But they’re fragile.
“Despite this progress, Nigeria’s health budget still lingers around 4-4.8 per cent of total government spending far below the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target. “We cannot rely on external partners to underwrite our responsibilities forever. CCM itself cannot function properly without government support.”
Gap, threatens Nigeria’s TB response
Also, Dr. Emperor Ubochioma of the Global Fund’s TB Grant Unit disclosed that a 70 per cent funding gap threatens Nigeria’s TB response. Without immediate domestic investment estimated at $700 million to $1 billion annually free diagnostic and treatment services could collapse.
“The world is watching Nigeria’s TB program. If we want to retain international credibility, we must lead from the front. States especially need to step up and the federal government cannot carry this alone,” he added.
Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, noted that the funding shortfalls are not just a crisis, they are an opportunity. “This is our chance to build a sustainable, locally-owned HIV response. We must use these constraints to drive innovation and stronger governance,” she said.
Need to build stronger collaboration
Executive Secretary, CCM Nigeria, Ibrahim Tajudeen, emphasized the urgent need to build stronger collaborations across all tiers and arms of government, particularly with national institutions and the national assembly. The core objective of the retreat, according to him is to address funding gaps that hinder the effectiveness of global fund grants, primarily targeted at combating ATM
He disclosed that despite significant progress such as a drop in HIV prevalence from 5.8 per cent to 1.3 per cent, a malaria reduction from 42 per cent to 22 per cent, and improved tuberculosis case detection. Tajudeen warned that continued reliance on donor funds without sufficient local investment could reverse these gains.
He further reiterated that the retreat aims to mobilize greater domestic resources, improve grant performance, and ensure timely disbursement of health funds. He called on legislators to support increased health budget allocations, ensure timely fund release, and provide oversight to eliminate implementation bottlenecks.
Highlighting transparency as a cornerstone of CCM’s operations, Tajudeen noted that equal representation and ethical governance are already in place, aligning with legislative concerns about accountability. “The retreat is expected to culminate in actionable strategies for transitioning Nigeria from donor-dependence to self-sustained health reducing out-of-pocket health costs, and bolstering the nation’s ability to respond to future health challenges.”