By Mary Onyia
Following the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the freezing of foreign aid by President Donald Trump, former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor and former presidential candidate, Kingsley Moghalu, has warned African leaders to reassess how and where their resources are allocated, with a particular focus on prioritizing domestic healthcare funding.
In a recent post on his X handle, Moghalu advised African countries to reduce their reliance on foreign aid and instead direct their own resources toward strengthening healthcare systems. He emphasized that many African countries waste substantial resources on the comfort of politicians or through corrupt practices, while the aid they receive is often insufficient for addressing their health challenges.
Moghalu described Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO as a “wake-up call” for African nations to take more responsibility for their healthcare systems. He stressed, “African countries must make funding for healthcare from their own resources a priority. Reliance on foreign aid for healthcare interventions is not wisdom.”
The former presidential candidate noted that despite the challenges, there are exceptions where African countries have successfully managed healthcare funding. He added, “What many African countries receive in aid is nothing compared to the resources that are wasted.”
Trump’s decision, announced on January 20, 2025, immediately after his inauguration, included an executive order freezing all foreign aid and ordering the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, which he has long criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. has been the largest contributor to the WHO, and its exit will likely disrupt global health initiatives, creating significant challenges for many African nations that rely heavily on international support.
Moghalu’s message underscores the importance of African countries taking charge of their healthcare systems, reducing dependency on foreign aid, and making strategic investments to improve health outcomes for their populations.