US and Nigeria Sign $2.1 Billion Health Agreement Targeting Christian-Run Facilities

Nigeria and the United States have signed a five-year bilateral health memorandum of understanding valued at nearly $2.1 billion, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system with a particular focus on Christian faith-based healthcare facilities.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the United States Department of State. It is expected to expand access to essential preventive and curative health services, including interventions targeting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.

Under the terms of the MoU, the US government plans to commit close to $2.1 billion over the five-year period. Nigeria, in turn, is expected to increase its domestic health spending by almost $3 billion during the lifespan of the agreement. The US described this as the largest co-investment made by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy.

The agreement places strong emphasis on faith-based health institutions, particularly Christian-run clinics and hospitals, which are described as playing a critical role in healthcare delivery across the country. The US Department of State noted that Nigeria has about 900 faith-based health facilities that currently serve more than 30 percent of the population. Investments in these facilities were described as uniquely positioned to complement public health institutions and strengthen the country’s overall health infrastructure.

The MoU was negotiated against the backdrop of reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence. The statement linked continued US support under the agreement to Nigeria’s progress in addressing religiously motivated violence, particularly attacks targeting vulnerable Christian populations.

The US government also stated that the agreement remains subject to its broader foreign policy priorities. It added that President Donald Trump and the Secretary of State retain the authority to pause or terminate programmes that do not align with US national interests.

The statement further indicated that the United States plans to sign similar multi-year bilateral health cooperation agreements in the coming weeks with dozens of countries receiving US health assistance.