The United States has signed a five-year deal to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services.
According to the US 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 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.”
“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.”
According to the statement, the MOU is tied 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 offering integrated services for infectious diseases and 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 percent of the population.
US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve 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 MOU was signed amid heightened US scrutiny of Nigeria, including recent travel restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump administration, which cited 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 combat HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other priority diseases while strengthening national health systems.