The Federal Government and the United States have signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and improving health outcomes nationwide.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on December 19, 2025, supports the America First Global Health Strategy and focuses on building resilient, self-reliant and accountable health systems, according to a statement released by the US Mission in Nigeria on December 21.
Under the agreement, the United States will commit nearly $2.1 billion in health assistance over five years, while Nigeria will invest about $3.0 billion in new domestic health spending within the same period. The US Mission described the deal as the largest co-investment by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy, highlighting Nigeria’s growing ownership of its health sector.
The MoU prioritises support for disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory systems, health commodities, frontline healthcare workers and data systems. US funding will also expand access to prevention and treatment services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, and maternal and child health, areas where Nigeria faces some of the world’s highest burdens.
Special attention is given to faith-based healthcare providers, particularly Christian facilities. Nigeria has over 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which serve more than 30 per cent of the country’s estimated 230 million people, often in underserved communities. About $200 million has been earmarked to strengthen these facilities, improve workforce capacity and expand integrated health services.
The US Mission noted that the agreement was negotiated alongside reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at improving security and protecting vulnerable communities. It added that US assistance remains subject to review and may be paused or withdrawn if it no longer aligns with US national interests.
The MoU comes as Nigeria grapples with major health challenges, including high rates of maternal and child mortality, a heavy malaria burden, infectious disease outbreaks, and rising non-communicable diseases.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it is accelerating health sector reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with increased investments in infrastructure, human resources, vaccines and essential medicines, even as funding gaps continue to pose challenges.
