United States President *Donald Trump* has signed an *executive order* halting foreign aid to ensure its alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives under the *”America First”* agenda.

The directive, announced on *Sunday, January 26, 2025, by U.S. Secretary of State **Marco Rubio*, emphasizes that every U.S. foreign assistance program must be justified by its benefits to U.S. national interests.

This move will have *far-reaching consequences* for Nigeria, which has been a major recipient of U.S. aid in various critical sectors, including *healthcare, education, food security, disaster relief, and power infrastructure*.

### *Key Sectors Affected by the Aid Suspension*

#### *1. Healthcare*

Nigeria’s healthcare system heavily relies on *U.S. assistance, with over *$3 billion invested** by the U.S. government since 2015 in programs aimed at:
– *Reducing maternal and child mortality*
– *Expanding immunization coverage*
– *Preventing and treating diseases such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis*
– *Strengthening Nigeria’s response to pandemics* (e.g., COVID-19, Mpox, and Lassa fever)

For example, in *May 2024, the **U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI)* delivered:
– *13.4 million bed nets*
– *6 million doses of malaria treatment*
– *11.8 million malaria rapid diagnostic tests*

The suspension of aid *could severely impact Nigeria’s ability to fight infectious diseases* and worsen an already fragile healthcare system.

#### *2. Education*

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest numbers of out-of-school children, with *10.2 million children* at the primary level lacking access to education.

Since *2014, the **U.S. government has invested $179.1 million* in improving basic education and youth empowerment programs.

With the withdrawal of this funding, Nigeria may experience:
– *Declining quality of education*
– *Increased number of out-of-school children*
– *Reduced support for teachers and learning infrastructure*

#### *3. Food Security*

Nigeria’s food production has been *severely impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency, leaving many families in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps **dependent on U.S. humanitarian assistance*.

The *U.S. Food for Peace (FFP) program* has provided over *$438.2 million* in funding from *2018 to 2020*, supplying:
– *91,458 metric tons of food*
– *Cash-based assistance for vulnerable Nigerians*

Additionally, in *September 2023, USAID facilitated *$205 million in investments for Nigerian agribusinesses*, and in **June 2024, the U.S. awarded *$26.6 million in grants to 33 companies**, leading to:
– *$171.2 million in private-sector investments*
– *26,000 new jobs*
– *$400 million in domestic sales*

The aid suspension *could worsen food insecurity*, especially in conflict-affected areas of northern Nigeria.

#### *4. Disaster Relief and Flood Assistance*

In *September 2024, flooding displaced **over 611,000 Nigerians*, with:
– *201 deaths reported*
– *2,119 people injured*
– *83,457 houses destroyed*

In response, *USAID allocated $6.5 million* for humanitarian support, as part of a larger *$27 million U.S. aid package* for Nigeria.

With the aid freeze, *Nigeria could struggle to respond effectively to future natural disasters*, leaving vulnerable populations without critical support.

#### *5. Electricity and Power Sector Development*

In *July 2024, **USAID and Nigeria’s Ministry of Power signed an MoU* to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector. This agreement secured:
– *A N115.2 billion ($140 million) U.S. grant* for technical assistance
– *Support for power market transparency and efficiency*

Currently, *over 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, leading many businesses and households to rely on **expensive and polluting petrol and diesel generators*.

With the suspension of U.S. funding, *Nigeria’s power sector reforms could stall*, affecting economic growth and development.

### *Conclusion*

The *U.S. aid freeze* will have *significant consequences for Nigeria, affecting millions of people who depend on assistance for **healthcare, education, food security, disaster relief, and electricity*.

While the Nigerian government may seek alternative funding sources, the immediate effects of this suspension *could deepen economic hardship and social challenges* across the country.