The United States government has announced the signing of a $5.1 billion five-year bilateral healthcare memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria explained that the agreement is part of efforts to advance the ‘America First Global Health Strategy’. A major feature of the MoU is the commitment of $200 million to support 900 Christian healthcare centres across the country.
According to the Embassy, Christian health facilities play a vital role in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. The Embassy emphasized that these facilities have remained key in delivering healthcare services to millions of Nigerians.
“The United States signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation memorandum of understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advance the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement read.
It added, “The MoU includes approximately $200 million in dedicated support to more than 900 Christian faith-based healthcare facilities, expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services. Christian faith-based clinics represent about 10 per cent of providers in Nigeria but serve more than 30 per cent of Nigeria’s 230 million people, often in underserved areas.”
The Embassy noted that the new agreement would provide lasting benefits for both countries. It also highlighted that the initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is facing serious public health challenges, especially among women and children.
“With Nigeria facing one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally and accounting for 30 per cent of the global malaria burden, this U.S. assistance protects Nigerian and American lives while strengthening our bilateral partnership,” the statement continued.
The Embassy further disclosed that under the MoU, the United States intends to provide $2.1 billion in support, while Nigeria will invest $3 billion in new domestic health spending over the next five years. “This represents the largest co-investment by any country to date under the Strategy. This five-year MoU will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” it added.
The statement also clarified that the agreement remains subject to broader U.S. foreign policy considerations. “With all foreign assistance, the president and secretary of state retain the right to pause or terminate any programmes that do not align with the national interest,” it said.
The cooperation is the largest co-investment ever made under the ‘America First Global Health Strategy’ and follows the recent termination of the United States Agency for International Development’s global aid programme by the Trump administration.
