WASHINGTON/ABUJA — The United States and Nigeria have signed a five-year, $2.1 billion bilateral health agreement aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, with a specific focus on supporting Christian faith-based health providers.
The deal, announced by the U.S. State Department on Saturday, will target the prevention of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, while also improving maternal and child health services. Nigeria has committed to increasing its national health spending by nearly $3 billion over the same period.
Context of the Agreement:
The agreement follows heightened U.S. attention to religious persecution in Nigeria, particularly violence against Christians. Former President Donald Trump had previously threatened military action over the killing of Christians and placed Nigeria back on a list of “countries of particular concern” regarding religious freedom.
The State Department noted that the deal was negotiated alongside reforms by the Nigerian government to prioritize protecting Christian populations from violence.
Broader U.S. Aid Shift:
This agreement aligns with the Trump administration’s “America First” restructuring of foreign aid, which included closing USAID and redirecting support toward bilateral deals with strategic partners.
In early December, the U.S. signed a similar $2.5 billion health aid deal with Kenya, signaling a renewed bilateral approach to development assistance in Africa.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on a U.S. State Department announcement. Implementation of the health deal will unfold over the five-year period.
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