The United States government has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria, committing $2.1 billion to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, with a particular focus on Christian faith-based facilities.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), inked on December 20, aims to expand prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, and maternal and child health. Under the deal, Nigeria will also increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the MoU’s five-year term.

Thomas Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, described Nigeria’s contribution as the largest co-investment by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy.

“This partnership is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based providers,” he said.

The agreement allocates dedicated funding to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health. Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, serving more than 30 per cent of the population, according to US officials.

“The investment is intended to complement public health facilities and strengthen overall healthcare infrastructure,” the statement said.
The MoU comes as the US continues to review its assistance in Nigeria, amid recent travel restrictions and heightened scrutiny over security and visa compliance.

The America First Global Health Strategy, launched in September 2025, focuses on bilateral agreements, increased partner-country investment, and efforts to combat infectious diseases while reinforcing national health systems.