The United States has approved a $2.1bn health funding package for Nigeria, with significant focus on Christian faith-based healthcare providers across the country.
The approval followed the signing of a five-year bilateral agreement between the governments of the United States and Nigeria aimed at strengthening the nation’s health system and expanding access to essential medical services, particularly in communities served by Christian institutions.
Under the agreement, the U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with Congress, will commit nearly $2.1bn to support both preventive and curative healthcare services in Nigeria.
The intervention will focus on priority health areas including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, as well as maternal and child health.
As part of the pact, the Nigerian government has also committed to increasing domestic health expenditure, with plans to inject close to $3bn into the sector over the five-year duration of the agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding has been described as the largest co-investment undertaken by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Thomas Pigott, confirmed that the agreement underscored a strengthened health partnership between both nations.
U.S. officials said the MOU was negotiated against the backdrop of Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at safeguarding Christian populations from violence.
The agreement includes specific funding provisions targeted at supporting Christian-owned hospitals, clinics and health programmes.
The investment is expected to complement the operations of about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently providing healthcare services to millions of Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The U.S. government noted that beyond improving access to healthcare, the funding would also enhance Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure while promoting accountability and long-term self-reliance in the sector.
However, American authorities stressed that continued funding would be subject to alignment with U.S. national interests.
They noted that the President and the Secretary of State reserve the right to suspend or terminate programmes that fail to meet agreed conditions.
Pigott also said the United States expects Nigeria to sustain efforts to tackle extremist religious violence, particularly attacks against vulnerable Christian communities.
The agreement was reached despite Nigeria’s continued designation by the U.S. as a Country of Particular Concern.
Nigeria was also recently placed on a U.S. travel restriction list, a decision President Donald Trump linked to concerns over terrorism and visa overstay rates.
The America First Global Health Strategy, released in September 2025, applies to several countries globally and prioritises self-reliance, data protection and targeted funding for diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health.
