FBI Seeks EFCC’s Help to Investigate Alleged Diversion of USAID HIV Funds in Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have launched a joint investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of USAID funds meant for critical healthcare interventions in Nigeria.

The high-profile probe targets local non-governmental and implementing organisations suspected of siphoning millions of dollars from donor-backed health initiatives.

The 2025 Programme Shutdown Catalyst

The joint operation was solidified during a strategic meeting at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

According to Macus Maccain, the FBI’s Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, the investigation became necessary following the United States Government’s abrupt shutdown of several USAID programmes in 2025.

The abrupt cancellation raised red flags regarding residual funds left in the accounts of local implementing partners. The scrutiny is heavily focused on entities tasked with running HIV and tuberculosis interventions, including specialized “one-stop centres” designed for patient treatment.

Budget Inflation and Cross-Border Red Flags

Initial financial reviews exposed widespread irregularities, including heavily inflated budgets and suspicious financial trails.

Severe discrepancies were initially flagged in Kano State, but officials confirm the anomalies span across multiple states. Jeremy Kennon, a Special Agent with the US Department of State’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), noted that the budget inflation issues are not unique to Nigeria, with similar patterns being tracked globally.

The FBI has committed to an unprecedented, long-term intelligence-sharing pact with Nigeria. “We’ll be sharing information with you; not just getting information from you,” Kennon stated.

EFCC Vows Nationwide Financial Tracing

Receiving the American delegation on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Acting Zonal Director, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, promised a ruthless, coordinated crackdown.

The EFCC plans to track every dollar to its ultimate beneficiary to verify if the capital was deployed for public health or illegally siphoned off after the 2025 programme cancellations.

The investigation will simultaneously cover all affected states, leveraging advanced forensic accounting to follow the cross-border financial trail.