The United States has signed a $2.1 billion five-year bilateral deal for Christian healthcare in Nigeria.
The $2.1 billion deal for Christian healthcare in Nigeria is said to be aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services, the U.S government explained.
In a statement issued by the U.S Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding signed on Saturday commits nearly $2.1 billion in US funding to support prevention and treatment programs for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement.
The agreement was announced by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott and is part of the America First Global Health Strategy.
The State Department, in a statement signed on Saturday, said Nigeria’s financial commitment represents “the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy.”
“Today, the United States Department of State signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.
“Under this MOU, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to commit nearly $2.1bn to expand essential preventative and curative services for HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
“Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3bn during the term of the MOU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement from the department read.
According to the statement, the MOU is tied to recent reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence.
As part of the agreement, dedicated funding will be allocated to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health.
“The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations from violence and includes significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities with a focus on expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services,” the statement said.
Nigeria currently has approximately 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department stated serve more than 30 percent of the population.
U.S officials said the $2.1 billion deal for Christian healthcare in Nigeria is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.
“Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 per cent of Nigerians, and investments in these facilities are uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public-run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure,” the statement added.
The Department of State also emphasised that U.S assistance remains subject to review. “As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest,” the statement said.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the deal comes amid heightened attention from Washington to the security situation facing Christian communities in Nigeria.
U.S President Donald Trump had redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian genocide.
Trump also added that the United States was prepared to take military action in Nigeria in response to attacks on Christians, comments that drew international attention.
Trump has repeatedly said Christianity faces what he described as an “existential threat” in Nigeria and other countries, framing the issue as part of a broader concern about the global persecution of Christians.
