The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases, Hon. Amobi Ogah, has expressed concern over what he described as near-zero implementation of the 2025 budget, warning that the development poses serious risks to Nigeria’s fight against infectious diseases.
Ogah spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 budget performance briefing and 2026 budget defence session of agencies under the committee.
The lawmaker noted that the poor execution of the previous budget had negatively impacted government programmes, particularly in critical sectors such as public health, where sustained funding is essential for disease prevention, research, and treatment.
He said the committee expects improvements in budget performance to restore public confidence in government and ensure Nigerians benefit from democratic governance.
Ogah described the past year as extremely challenging for the country, stressing that budget implementation remains key to delivering essential services and strengthening institutional capacity in the health sector.
He urged the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu to intensify efforts toward achieving stable economic growth and national development.
According to him, the administration must prioritise full implementation of federal budgets to enable agencies responsible for managing infectious diseases to effectively carry out their mandates.
The committee chairman also acknowledged the recent restructuring and renaming of the committee, noting that the session marked its first budget defence exercise under the new designation.
He commended heads of relevant agencies, including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, for their commitment to public health management.
Ogah reiterated the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, lawmakers, and stakeholders, expressing optimism that improved funding and accountability would strengthen Nigeria’s response to infectious diseases and safeguard public health.
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