Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The United States formally exits the World Health Organisation on Thursday, one year after President Donald Trump orders the withdrawal shortly after returning to office.
Under the terms of the agreement between Washington and the Geneva-based UN health agency, the withdrawal takes effect following a mandatory one-year notice period.
However, the exit occurs amid unresolved legal and financial issues. The US fails to fully settle outstanding membership contributions for 2024 and 2025, totalling about $280 million, a condition technically required for withdrawal.
Despite this, the WHO lacks enforcement mechanisms to block the move or compel payment.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expresses regret, urging Washington to reconsider.
“Withdrawal is a loss for the United States and a loss for the rest of the world,” Tedros says. “This is not about money. It is about cooperation and solidarity.”
The WHO warns that the decision weakens global health coordination. The US no longer participates in early warning systems for disease outbreaks or in annual decisions on influenza vaccine composition—processes that rely on shared global surveillance data.
Health experts say the loss of US scientific expertise and funding undermines collective preparedness against pandemics.
Trump’s long-running dispute with the WHO dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he accuses the organisation of mismanaging the crisis and misusing funds. He previously attempted to withdraw during his first term, but former President Joe Biden reversed the decision before it took effect.
For decades, the US remains the WHO’s largest donor, often contributing more than 15 per cent of its budget. The withdrawal forces the agency into austerity.
By mid-2026, WHO staffing is expected to shrink by about 20 per cent to roughly 7,300 employees, alongside deep budget cuts.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Otamere Gladness