The United States has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a particular focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services.
According to the United States Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Saturday, commits nearly $2.1bn in US funding to support prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3bn over the duration of the agreement.
The agreement was announced by the Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, Thomas Pigott, and forms part of the America First Global Health Strategy.
In a statement signed on Saturday, the State Department said Nigeria’s financial commitment represents “the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy.”
“Today, the United States Department of State signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.
“Under this MOU, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to commit nearly $2.1bn to expand essential preventative and curative services for HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
“Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3bn during the term of the MOU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Memorandum of Understanding is linked to recent reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence.
As part of the agreement, dedicated funding will be allocated to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those providing integrated services for infectious diseases as well as maternal and child health.
“The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations from violence and includes significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities with a focus on expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services,” the statement said.
Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population.
US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and strengthen the country’s overall health infrastructure.
“Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 per cent of Nigerians, and investments in these facilities are uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public-run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure,” the statement added.
The Department of State also emphasised that US assistance remains subject to review.
“As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest,” the statement said.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria by the United States, including recent travel restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump administration, citing national security and visa overstay concerns.
The America First Global Health Strategy, released in September 2025, applies to countries receiving US health assistance and shifts US global health policy towards bilateral agreements, increased partner-country co-investment, and expanded efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other priority diseases while strengthening national health systems.
