By Muhammad Mamman
The United States has signed a five-year health cooperation agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system, with a particular focus on supporting Christian faith-based health providers, Washington announced on Saturday.
The agreement, unveiled by US officials, is designed to expand access to essential health services, improve service delivery and build capacity among community-based healthcare institutions, many of which are run by churches and religious organisations.
According to a statement from the US government, the partnership will support programmes in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, disease prevention and health workforce development, working closely with Nigerian authorities and local partners.
Faith-based healthcare providers play a significant role in Nigeria’s health sector, especially in rural and underserved communities where public facilities are often limited. US officials said the agreement recognises the “critical role” these institutions play in delivering care to millions of Nigerians.
Nigerian health authorities welcomed the deal, describing it as a boost to ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s fragile health system, which faces challenges including underfunding, workforce shortages and uneven access to care.
While the agreement places special emphasis on Christian-run facilities, officials stressed that its broader goal is to improve health outcomes nationwide through collaboration, capacity-building and sustainable investment.
The new pact comes as the United States continues to deepen health and development cooperation with Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and a key regional partner.
