iDeemlawfulThe United States has entered into a five-year agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system, with a particular focus on expanding faith-based health services.
According to the US Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Saturday commits close to $2.1 billion in US funding to support prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
The spokesman noted that Nigeria has pledged to boost its national health expenditure by nearly $3 billion over the five-year duration, adding that the bilateral agreement places “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.”
“Nigeria has committed to increasing its national health spending by nearly $3 billion over the five-year period, the spokesman said, adding that the bilateral deal contains “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.”
The statement explained that the MoU is linked to recent policy reforms undertaken by the Nigerian government aimed at safeguarding Christian communities from violence.
Under the agreement, specific funding will be channelled to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those delivering integrated services for infectious diseases alongside maternal and child health care.
“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 is home to approximately 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which, according to the State Department, currently provide healthcare services to more than 30 per cent of the population.
US officials said investments in these institutions are designed to complement government-run health facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s broader 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 stressed that US assistance remains subject to ongoing 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 MoU was signed amid increased US scrutiny of Nigeria, including recent travel restrictions introduced by the Donald Trump administration over 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 toward bilateral agreements, increased partner-country co-investment, and expanded efforts to tackle HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other priority diseases while strengthening national health systems.