The United States has approved a $2.1 billion health funding package for Nigeria, placing strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers across the country.
The funding follows the signing of a five-year bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system and expanding access to essential medical services, especially in communities served by Christian institutions.
Under the agreement, the U.S. Department of State, working with Congress, will commit nearly $2.1 billion to support preventive and curative healthcare services.
The focus areas include HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, as well as maternal and child health.
As part of the deal, the Nigerian government has also pledged to significantly raise its own spending on health. Nigeria is expected to increase domestic health funding by close to $3 billion over the five-year period covered by the agreement.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been described as the largest co-investment made by any country so far under the America First Global Health Strategy. State Department spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, confirmed that the agreement reflects a deeper health partnership between both countries.
According to U.S. officials, the MOU was negotiated within the context of Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at protecting Christian populations from violence. The agreement includes dedicated funding targeted at strengthening Christian-owned hospitals, clinics, and healthcare programmes.
The investment is designed to complement the work of about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals operating in Nigeria. These facilities currently provide medical services to millions of Nigerians, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
The U.S. government noted that the funding would also help improve Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure, while encouraging long-term self-reliance and accountability in the health sector.
However, U.S. authorities made it clear that continued funding would depend on alignment with American national interests.
Officials stated that the President and the Secretary of State retain the authority to pause or terminate programmes that fail to meet agreed conditions.
Pigott added that the U.S. expects Nigeria to continue taking concrete steps to combat extremist religious violence, especially attacks targeting vulnerable Christian communities.
The agreement was signed despite Nigeria’s continued designation by the U.S. as a Country of Particular Concern.
Nigeria was also recently included on a U.S. travel restriction list, a move President Donald Trump linked to terrorism concerns and visa overstay rates.
The America First Global Health Strategy, released in September 2025, applies to several countries worldwide. The policy prioritises self-reliance, data protection, and targeted funding for diseases such as HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health.