EFCC, FBI probe alleged diversion of USAID HIV, TB funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation have opened a closer probe into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of funds released for US-backed HIV and tuberculosis programmes in Nigeria.
The two agencies resolved to deepen intelligence sharing and operational cooperation after an FBI delegation visited the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Nkereuwem Effiong
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation have opened a closer probe into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of funds released for US-backed HIV and tuberculosis programmes in Nigeria.
The two agencies resolved to deepen intelligence sharing and operational cooperation after an FBI delegation visited the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The delegation was led by Marcus Maccain, Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché, FBI, while the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, received the team on behalf of the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The visit focused on funds provided to organisations implementing programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development, particularly interventions targeting HIV and tuberculosis.
Maccain said the United States Government’s decision to shut down some USAID programmes in 2025 had triggered questions over funds left with organisations that had been implementing the affected projects.
According to him, some implementing organisations were suspected of mismanaging or diverting funds after the programmes were discontinued.
“We are seeking stronger engagement with the EFCC to establish how the funds were managed and identify possible financial misconduct arising from the termination of the programmes,” Maccain said.
The US delegation also raised concerns about financial irregularities uncovered during reviews of some programmes.
Jeremy Kennon, Special Agent, Office of Inspector General, United States Department of State, said the US and Nigerian governments had previously entered into an agreement to support HIV and tuberculosis interventions, with funds channelled to organisations responsible for implementing the programmes.
He said some of the organisations had established one-stop centres where people could access HIV treatment.
However, Kennon said subsequent reviews had revealed concerns, including allegedly inflated budgets, in Kano State and other parts of Nigeria.
He stressed that the concerns were not peculiar to Kano or Nigeria, saying similar issues had emerged in other parts of the world.
Kennon said the FBI wanted to establish a long-term working relationship with the EFCC, particularly in the areas of intelligence and information sharing.
“We’ll like to work with the EFCC on this on a long-term basis, and we’ll be sharing information with you; not just getting information from you,” he said.
Responding, Kaltungo assured the delegation that the EFCC would investigate the allegations and trace the financial trail to establish what happened to the funds.
He said investigators would determine whether the money was used for the purposes for which it was provided or whether any part of it was mismanaged or diverted after the programmes were terminated.
“We will trace the funds to their ultimate beneficiaries,” Kaltungo said, adding that the investigation would cover all states where the affected programmes and implementing organisations operated.
He said the commission would work closely with the FBI to establish the facts and determine whether financial crimes were committed.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the engagement underscored the commission’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships in tackling complex financial crimes involving cross-border funding and transactions.
Oyewale said collaboration with international law enforcement agencies remained critical to tracing illicit financial flows, identifying beneficiaries and ensuring that public and donor funds were used for their intended purposes.
The EFCC and FBI are expected to continue sharing intelligence as investigators examine the financial records and activities of organisations that received funds under the affected USAID-supported programmes.
