December 20, 2025 l By Dalena Reporters
Abuja/Lagos — The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America have formalised a major health cooperation agreement valued at approximately US $2.1 billion, aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s health system, expanding access to essential medical services, and deepening bilateral collaboration over the next five years. The pact was signed on Friday, December 19, 2025, in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in health sector diplomacy between the two countries.
The agreement structured as a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering April 2026 to December 2030 commits substantial U.S. grant funding to Nigeria’s health priorities, particularly in disease prevention, control, and primary care enhancement. Under the deal:
- The United States Government will provide nearly US $2.1 billion in health aid, including grant funding to strengthen Nigeria’s public health infrastructure.
- Nigeria has pledged to increase its own domestic health investment, committing to allocate at least six per cent of executed annual Federal and State budgets to health, which analysts estimate could mobilise close to US $3 billion over the same five-year period.
The combined resources are intended to support disease surveillance, outbreak response, health workforce strengthening, laboratory systems, data systems, essential medicines supply chains, and primary healthcare delivery across the country with a focus on sustainable, long-term health system resilience.
The United States has indicated that this funding includes a notable emphasis on supporting faith-based healthcare providers, particularly Christian faith-based clinics and hospitals that operate extensively in underserved and rural areas of Nigeria. This element reflects recent shifts in U.S. global health diplomacy policy.
U.S. officials framed this priority as part of efforts to expand access and improve outcomes in communities historically underserved by formal health infrastructure. However, critics point out that embedding explicit religious-affiliated targets within international health aid agreements can raise concerns about equity and inclusivity of services across diverse populations.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the MoU as a critical step toward strengthening health security and building a self-reliant health system capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to current and future health threats.
“This partnership underscores our determination to build a health system that can prevent, detect, and respond to health threats, while expanding access to affordable, quality care for all Nigerians,” Prof. Pate said, emphasising the mutual commitment to domestic investment, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
U.S. State Department officials similarly framed the pact as part of a strategic global health initiative designed to enhance bilateral cooperation while prioritising high-impact interventions against major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, alongside maternal and child health programmes.
The agreement aligns with Nigeria’s broader health reform agenda, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Health Sector Renewal Compact, both aimed at improving access, quality and accountability in healthcare delivery nationwide.
Key collaborative priorities under the agreement include:
- Strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak response systems.
- Enhancing laboratory infrastructure and biosafety for pathogen testing and management.
- Supporting frontline health workers and expanding access to essential medicines and supplies.
- Investing in primary care services and health data systems nationwide.
Both governments have underscored the importance of accountability, sustainability, and measurable results in the implementation of the MoU. While U.S. funding is expected to play a central role in the early years of the partnership, Nigeria’s increasing domestic health expenditure is designed to reduce dependency on external grants over time.
The agreement represents one of the largest health-sector bilateral cooperation frameworks between the two nations, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing longstanding public health challenges while building capacity for a more resilient Nigerian health system.