The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of the United States have signed a landmark technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening health security, expanding access to primary healthcare, and advancing Nigeria’s drive toward a more resilient and self-reliant health system.
The agreement, signed on Friday in Abuja, deepens bilateral cooperation in the health sector, with a focus on the early detection, prevention, and control of emerging, re-emerging, and existing infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. It also seeks to improve access to quality primary healthcare services nationwide.
MoU Terms
Under the MoU, both countries will collaborate to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness and response, improve laboratory systems and biosafety procedures for pathogen sample collection, transport, testing, storage, and disposal, and support frontline healthcare workers.
The partnership also covers improvements in health data systems, access to essential health commodities, and the provision of strategic investment and technical assistance across the sector.
Speaking on the agreement, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the MoU as a significant step toward safeguarding public health and strengthening national resilience. He said the partnership demonstrates Nigeria’s determination to build a health system capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to health threats, while expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens.
The agreement reflects Nigeria’s stated commitment to long-term health sector self-reliance. As part of this strategy, Nigeria will progressively increase domestic health financing while external grant support is gradually reduced, marking a shift toward more sustainable, trade- and investment-based partnerships.
Healthcare Grant Funding
Over a five-year period from April 2026 to December 2030, the United States Government is expected to provide nearly US$2 billion in grant funding to support Nigeria’s health priorities. In parallel, Nigeria has committed to allocating at least six percent of executed annual Federal and State budgets to health, a move projected to mobilise nearly US$3 billion in domestic health financing over the same period. This commitment has already been reflected in the Federal Government’s proposed 2026 Appropriation
The MoU builds on ongoing health sector reforms, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) launched in 2023 to improve healthcare accessibility, affordability, quality, accountability, and efficiency. These reforms are being implemented through a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) that aligns the efforts of Federal, State, and Local Governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector under a unified national plan, budget, and reporting framework.
In December 2023, the reforms were further reinforced through the Health Sector Renewal Compact, signed under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which brought together all 36 State Governors, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and development partners in a shared commitment to building a unified, efficient, and resilient health system.
The Federal Government expressed appreciation to the United States for its renewed partnership and reiterated its commitment to delivering measurable results that align with national priorities and improve health outcomes for Nigerians.