Former Senator reacts to America’s exit from global health body
Former federal lawmaker and civil rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has criticized the recent withdrawal of the United States (US) from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
On Monday, February 2, 2026, Sani described the development as “unfortunate,” emphasizing that the US has historically held the largest stake in maintaining global peace and prosperity. He warned that retreating from international institutions like the WHO threatens the delicate balance of “National” and international health security, especially in vulnerable regions.
The US officially completed its withdrawal process in January 2026, a move initiated by the Trump administration citing the need for “bilateral health agreements” over multilateral bureaucracy. Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, argued that no nation is an island in the face of global pandemics. He maintained that the WHO remains an “irreplaceable and indispensable” instrument for tackling health challenges in the remotest communities of the world.
The activist called on other global powers to step into the “National” and global leadership vacuum left by the American exit. He urged the European Union, China, and wealthy Arab Gulf nations to provide the necessary financial support to sustain critical programs like polio eradication and malaria control. Sani noted that without a unified global body, the “Renewed Hope” for a world free of preventable diseases would face a significant “clog in the wheel.”
Protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations
Sani’s intervention comes amidst a series of provocative US foreign policy shifts that have impacted Nigeria and the broader African continent. These include expanded visa restrictions and threats of military intervention under the guise of protecting religious freedoms. The former senator has consistently rejected “foreign military aggression” against Nigeria, insisting that while international support is welcome, the “Sanctity” of national sovereignty must be respected.
He argued that the United States loses its moral authority to advocate for “world peace and prosperity” when it abandons the very institutions designed to foster global cooperation. Sani reminded the international community that terrorism and disease do not recognize borders or “National” visas. By fragmenting global health responses, he believes the world is becoming a more dangerous place for the “remotest communities” he has long advocated for.
Sovereignty and the future of international relations
As the global political situation grows increasingly tense, Sani has advised Nigerians to focus on building their own “National” institutions. He noted that while foreign aid can be a “Joy-Giver” in times of crisis, “eternal dependence” on foreign powers like the US is a dangerous strategy. The ultimate security and peace of the country, he argues, must lie in the hands of Nigerians themselves, supported by fair and consistent international partnerships.
His comments reflect a growing sentiment among African intellectuals who are skeptical of “neocolonial” interference under the pretext of aid. As February 2026 begins, the discourse on the “National” stage is shifting toward self-reliance and the demand for more equitable global governance. Shehu Sani remains a vocal critic of any policy—domestic or foreign—that he believes undermines the dignity and progress of the common man.
