President Donald Trump of the United States of America has signed an executive order halting all foreign development assistance to all foreign countries with exception to Egypt and Israel.
America, through agencies such as United Nations organisations, USAID and Embassy, alongside NGOs reportedly doled out $68bn in 2023 which made it the world’s biggest international aid donor.
However, on the first day at the Oval Office, President Trump paused the aids for 90 consecutive days to determine efficiency and consistency of the funding with his foreign policy.
The United States funds a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes in Nigeria, implemented through agencies like USAID, the U.S. Embassy, and U.S.-government-funded NGOs. These programs address critical issues such as health, education, food security, governance, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.
This report identifies the top five sectors in Nigeria that will be affected by the aid halt and examines the potential consequences for the country especially beneficiaries of the interventions.
Humanitarian Interventions
Humanitarian assistance is one of the most critical areas of U.S. support in Nigeria, particularly in conflict-affected regions like the Northeast. The aid halt will disrupt life-saving programmes for millions of vulnerable Nigerians.
The US government through the World Food Programme (WFP) and Emergency Food Security Programme (EFSP) provide food aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations in states like Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. The suspension of aid could lead to increased food insecurity and malnutrition.
U.S.-supported NGOs like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) provide healthcare, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to IDPs. The halt could result in reduced access to essential health services, increasing maternal and child mortality rates. Perhaps organisations like the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) which relies on individual donors that is independent of the US government to operate will have to struggle to fill in the vacuum that will be created by the new policy.
The U.S. funding for rapid response to natural disasters, such as floods, through organizations like the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will be disrupted, delaying relief efforts. The agency also supports victims of Boko Haram in the Northeast.
Health Interventions
The U.S. has been a key partner in Nigeria’s health sector, particularly in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
The US supported interventions such as President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that provides antiretroviral therapy (ART) to people living with HIV, supports prevention programmes, and funds care for orphans and vulnerable children.
The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) distributes insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and supports malaria diagnostics and treatment. A funding pause could reverse gains in malaria prevention, particularly in high-burden states like Kano and Lagos.
Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is another critical support that the US funding halt will affect. The GHSA strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats like COVID-19, Ebola, and Lassa fever.
The US supports Maternal and Child Health programmes that improves access to quality healthcare for pregnant women and children in Nigeria. This support project will also be affected, potentially increasing maternal and child mortality rates, thereby reversing the progress made.
The US also supports Reproductive Health and Family Planning in Nigeria. Reduced funding for family planning services and reproductive health education could limit access to contraceptives.
Education Interventions
U.S. aid has been instrumental in improving access to quality education in Nigeria, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The US also provides opportunities for Nigerians to pursue quality education in the United States. Some of the interventions include the Northern Education Initiative (NEI) that focuses on improving access to education for girls and children affected by conflict in Northern Nigeria; Teacher Training and Curriculum Development that enhances teacher skills and improving learning outcomes; Scholarship and Exchange Programmes like the Fulbright Programme and Mandela Washington Fellowship, which provide scholarships and leadership training for Nigerians.
Economic Growth and Agriculture
American aid supports Nigeria’s agricultural development and economic growth, particularly through initiatives like Feed the Future Initiative that improves agricultural productivity, food security, and nutrition for smallholder farmers and Power Africa initiative that expands access to electricity through renewable energy projects. The halt could delay progress in addressing Nigeria’s energy deficit.
Governance and Democracy
American intervention has played a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and promoting good governance. The US supported Nigeria’s electoral umpire the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on technical grounds to improve the credibility of elections. The US aid also includes Anti-Corruption Initiative that strengthens anti-corruption institutions such as ICPC and EFCC. Other areas include support for police through capacity building.
Pundits said the aid suspension will have far-reaching consequences for the most vulnerable populations, including IDPs, women, and children.
Without any alternative funding, Nigeria risks reversing years of progress in these critical areas.