The federal government of Nigeria and the United States government have signed a landmark technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation and funding for the early detection and prevention of emerging and existing infectious diseases in Nigeria, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Under the MoU, over five years, from April 2026 to December 2030, the United States government will provide nearly $2 billion in grants.
Nigeria said it is developing a plan to allocate at least six per cent of the annual federal and state domestic budgets to health, expected to mobilise nearly $3 billion for health over the same period.
A statement from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the MoU also covers enhancing disease surveillance systems; strengthening and safety procedures for pathogen sample collection, transport, storage, testing, and disposal; primary care; financial protection; and the provision of technical support, among other objectives.
The MoU is aligned with Nigeria’s drive toward self-reliance, aiming to reduce dependence on external aid to 0% by 2030.
Under the framework, Nigeria plans to increase its health sector spending as a share of the national budget, while funding from the United States government is expected to decline. This approach reflects a strategic pivot towards trade- and investment-based partnerships.
The ministry said the signing of the MoU is the culmination of efforts by the governments of Nigeria and the United States to work cooperatively toward a health system capable of preventing, detecting, and treating diseases, while expanding access to primary healthcare and attracting private-sector investment necessary for self-reliance.
The statement said: “Under this MoU, Nigeria and the United States will further strengthen their collaboration to prevent the spread of emerging, reemerging, and existing infectious disease threats. Over five years, from April 2026 to December 2030, the United States government will provide almost $2 billion in grant funding, while Nigeria will commit at least six per cent of executed annual Federal and State domestic budgets to health, and is expected to mobilize nearly $3 billion for health within the same timeframe.
The ministry said that President Tinubu has already included it in the federal government’s proposed 2026 Appropriation.
According to the minister, “The MoU is strategically focused on seven areas of cooperation, viz. Surveillance and Outbreak Response; Laboratory Systems; Commodities; Frontline Healthcare Workers; Data Systems; Strategic Investment and Technical Assistance.
“The federal government of Nigeria expresses its appreciation to the government of the United States for its renewed commitment to deepening health cooperation and reaffirms its determination to work towards achieving the objectives aligned with its own national interests. While this technical MOU focuses on health, Nigeria is committed to continuing progress in addressing other areas of mutual concern.
“Acknowledging also that, both the U.S. and Nigeria may choose to pause, extend, or opt out of the MOU in the event of insufficient progress. “
Onyebuchi Ezigbo
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