US, Nigeria sign $2.1bn health pact to strengthen faith‑based healthcare

The United States and Nigeria have signed a five‑year bilateral health agreement worth nearly $2.1 billion aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system and expanding access to essential healthcare services, with a particular emphasis on faith‑based care.

Announced on Saturday by the US Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) commits US funding to support prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio over the life of the agreement.

Under the pact, Nigeria is expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion, marking the largest co‑investment by any partner country under the US America First Global Health Strategy, according to the State Department.

The MOU emphasises support for Christian faith‑based healthcare providers, in line with recent Nigerian reforms aimed at protecting Christian communities.

Funding will be directed to facilities offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health, complementing public healthcare infrastructure.

Nigeria currently has around 900 faith‑based clinics and hospitals serving more than 30 per cent of the population.

US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to improve overall health outcomes and strengthen the country’s health infrastructure.

The State Department noted that all foreign assistance remains subject to review, with the President and Secretary of State retaining the right to pause or terminate programs that do not align with US national interests.

The health agreement was signed amid a period of heightened US scrutiny of Nigeria, including recent travel restrictions, but reflects a renewed commitment to bilateral cooperation on global health.