US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals

US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals

The United States and Nigeria have signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system, with a major focus on expanding faith-based healthcare delivery across the country.

Under the agreement, jointly signed by the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, both countries will commit nearly $5.1 billion over the lifespan of the MOU. The U.S. government plans to invest about $2.1 billion, while Nigeria will increase its domestic health spending by approximately $3 billion—the largest co-investment so far under the America First Global Health Strategy.

Announcing the deal at the weekend, U.S. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the funding would support expanded preventive and curative health services, including interventions for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.

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A notable element of the agreement is its emphasis on strengthening Christian faith-based health facilities in Nigeria. According to the statement, the MOU was negotiated alongside reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at improving the protection of Christian communities, with targeted funding for faith-based clinics and hospitals.

Nigeria is home to an estimated 900 faith-based health facilities, which provide care to more than 30 per cent of the population. The U.S. government said investments in these facilities would complement services offered by public hospitals and clinics, while enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

The statement also underscored that, in line with U.S. foreign assistance policy, the President and the Secretary of State retain the authority to pause or terminate programmes that do not align with U.S. national interests. It added that the Trump administration expects Nigeria to sustain progress in addressing extremist religious violence, particularly against vulnerable Christian communities.

The U.S. Department of State disclosed that similar multi-year bilateral health MOUs are expected to be concluded with dozens of countries receiving U.S. health assistance in the coming weeks.

The agreement represents one of the most significant Nigeria–U.S. health sector partnerships in recent years and reflects growing international recognition of faith-based institutions as critical providers of healthcare in developing countries.

US, Nigeria Sign $5.1bn Health Pact to Expand Faith-Based Hospitals