By ABUJAH RACHEAL

Health experts warn that Nigeria?s development sector faces disruptions as the US moves to dissolve USAID and merge its operations into the State Department, raising concerns over future aid programmes.

They stated this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

NAN reports that, the transition will begin on July 1, with all remaining USAID employees reassigned or terminated by Sept. 2.

Dr Obinna Eze, a development economist, warned that the restructuring could lead to funding shortfalls.

?Many USAID-funded projects provide life-saving interventions. If these are disrupted, the impact on Nigeria?s most vulnerable populations could be severe,? he said.

Adding to the complexity, concerns have been raised over the allocation of foreign aid within donor countries.

?Reports indicate that in 2023, 22 per cent of total foreign aid in wealthy donor nations was spent domestically, primarily on refugee support and administrative costs.

?With the US government shifting priorities, there is uncertainty about how much of its development budget will continue to flow to countries like Nigeria,? Eze said.

On his part, Prof Oyewale Tomori, a virology professor, urged the Nigerian government to proactively seek alternative funding sources and strengthen partnerships with other donors to mitigate the potential fallout.

?This is a wake-up call for Nigeria to diversify its development funding sources and invest more in self-sustaining programmes,? Tomori said.

The move raises concerns about the future of US-funded development programmes in Nigeria, which have played a crucial role in healthcare, education, and economic development.

A memo obtained by CNN indicates that USAID, once a global leader in development assistance with 10,000 employees, has been reduced to just 900 personnel.

While it remains unclear which programmes will survive the transition, experts fear a reduction in aid flows to Nigeria and other developing nations.

Nigeria has long benefited from USAID?s interventions, particularly in maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria control, and agricultural development.

The agency has also provided critical support during humanitarian crises, including efforts to combat food insecurity and displacement due to conflicts.

NAN recalls that while US officials have stated that some USAID functions will be absorbed into the State Department, the long-term implications for Nigeria remain uncertain. (NAN)

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