The United States has earmarked $200 million in support for Christian faith-based healthcare facilities in Nigeria as part of a newly signed five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation agreement with the Nigerian government.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), announced by the US Mission in Nigeria on Sunday, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system under the America First Global Health Strategy.
According to the US Mission, the agreement includes targeted funding for more than 900 Christian faith-based healthcare providers across the country. The funding is expected to expand access to integrated services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, as well as maternal and child health care.
The US Mission noted that Christian health facilities play a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
“Christian faith-based clinics make up about 10 per cent of healthcare providers in Nigeria but serve over 30 per cent of the country’s estimated 230 million population, often in areas with limited access to government health services,” the statement said.
The US said the support comes amid Nigeria’s significant public health challenges, including high maternal and child mortality rates and a heavy malaria burden, which accounts for about 30 per cent of global cases.
“With Nigeria facing some of the world’s highest maternal and child mortality rates and a substantial share of the global malaria burden, this assistance helps save lives while strengthening the US–Nigeria partnership,” the statement added.
Beyond the faith-based funding, the broader MOU outlines major joint investments in Nigeria’s health sector. Under the agreement, the United States plans to provide $2.1 billion in health support, while Nigeria is expected to commit $3.0 billion in new domestic health spending over the five-year period.
The US Mission described the arrangement as the largest co-investment by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy.
Officials said the agreement is expected to improve health outcomes, strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, and deliver long-term benefits for both countries.
In recent months, the United States has also increased its public engagement on the condition of Christians in Nigeria, amid ongoing international debates over allegations of targeted violence against Christian communities
