The United States government has launched a major health funding initiative for Nigeria, making up to $200 million available over the next five years to help the country build a more self-sufficient healthcare system.
The funding call, issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, follows a Health Memorandum of Understanding signed between both nations in December 2025. The initiative is designed to run through 2030 and could result in as many as 20 separate project awards.
A Shift Toward Self-Reliance
Unlike traditional aid models that focus on single diseases, this program takes a broader approach. The U.S. is asking organisations to propose projects that strengthen Nigeria’s entire health system while gradually shifting ownership to Nigerian institutions.
The strategy aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy, which prioritises reducing long-term dependence on foreign donor programmes. The core message is clear: Nigeria must increasingly finance and manage its own health services.
According to the funding document, projects should help build “sustainable, integrated, and accountable” health systems and create a “credible path to long-term Nigerian ownership, accountability, and financing.”
A Historic Co-Investment
Under the five-year MOU, the U.S. has committed nearly $2.1 billion in health assistance, while Nigeria has pledged approximately $3 billion in new domestic health spending. This marks the largest co-investment any country has made under the America First Global Health Strategy to date.
Fixing a Fragmented System
Nigeria’s health services currently operate in silos, with separate programmes tackling HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal health, immunisation, and disease surveillance. The new initiative encourages applicants to design integrated systems where patients can access multiple services in one visit.
A significant portion of the funding—roughly $200 million—is earmarked for more than 900 Christian faith-based healthcare facilities. These facilities serve over 30% of Nigeria’s 230 million people, yet represent only 10% of healthcare providers. Notably, the programme excludes government-run hospitals under one of its objectives, focusing instead on strengthening faith-based and community providers while keeping them connected to public health systems.
Priority Areas
The initiative targets several critical gaps:
· Health Insurance Expansion: Fewer than 20% of women and children have financial protection against healthcare costs in most states. The programme aims to boost enrollment in the National Health Insurance Authority, especially for people living with HIV and tuberculosis.
· Disease Surveillance: Projects will support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) by strengthening emergency operations centres, rapid response teams, and community-based monitoring.
· Digital Health: The U.S. wants to expand digital health systems, migrating electronic medical records from U.S.-supported platforms to government-owned systems across 4,000 facilities.
· Supply Chains and Laboratories: Technical assistance will improve forecasting, warehouse management, and logistics, while also supporting molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, and lab quality systems.
· Infrastructure: At least 3,800 health facilities will receive support for reliable electricity and water supplies, along with renovations and essential equipment.
Major Workforce Transition
Perhaps the most significant change involves health worker salaries. Starting in 2027, U.S. funding for frontline health workers—including community health workers, nurses, doctors, midwives, and pharmacy staff—will decrease by 25% annually. By the end of 2030, the Nigerian government is expected to fully absorb these salary costs. Projects will also help strengthen workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and training.
Transparency Concerns
The agreement has not been without controversy. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to release the full text of the MOU, raising concerns about transparency, constitutional compliance, and national sovereignty. Particular attention has been drawn to the programme’s focus on faith-based providers and references to linking U.S. assistance to reforms protecting Christian communities from violence.
Data-sharing provisions have also sparked debate. Reports indicate the deal includes plans for health surveillance and data monitoring to enable rapid outbreak response. Nigeria’s Ministry of Health has stated that both sides intend to negotiate “regulated data-sharing arrangements” that comply with applicable data protection, privacy, ownership, and hosting laws.
However, an earlier draft of the MOU reportedly contained stronger language on direct database access and included provisions for sharing pathogens and genomic data with the U.S. for 25 years. Human Rights Watch noted that failure to provide such access could result in “changes to planned assistance and/or discontinuation of the agreement.”
Application Deadline
Interested organisations must submit a Statement of Interest by July 31, 2026, as the first step in a two-stage application process. Shortlisted applicants may later be invited to submit full proposals.
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