US, Nigeria Seal $2.1bn Health Deal to Strengthen Faith-Based Care

The United States and Nigeria have entered into a five-year bilateral health agreement aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s healthcare system, with particular emphasis on expanding faith-based medical services.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the US plans to commit nearly $2.1 billion to support prevention and treatment programmes targeting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio, according to the US Department of State. In turn, Nigeria is expected to raise its domestic health spending by almost $3 billion over the duration of the agreement.

The deal was announced on Saturday by the US Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, and falls under the America First Global Health Strategy. In a statement, the State Department described Nigeria’s financial pledge as the largest co-investment made by any country so far under the strategy.

The department said the agreement is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong focus on supporting Christian faith-based healthcare providers. It added that the MoU was negotiated alongside recent Nigerian government reforms aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence.

As part of the arrangement, dedicated funding will be directed to Christian healthcare facilities, especially those providing integrated services for infectious diseases as well as maternal and child health.

Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which collectively serve more than 30 per cent of the population. US officials noted that investments in these facilities are intended to complement government-run health services and enhance the country’s overall health infrastructure.

The State Department also stressed that all US assistance remains subject to review, noting that the President and Secretary of State retain the authority to pause or terminate programmes that do not align with US national interests.

The agreement comes amid increased US scrutiny of Nigeria, including recent travel restrictions introduced by the Donald Trump administration over national security and visa overstay concerns.

Released in September 2025, the America First Global Health Strategy applies to countries receiving US health support and marks a shift toward bilateral agreements, greater partner-country co-investment, and intensified efforts to combat priority diseases while strengthening national health systems.