Tinubu’s govt signs $2.1bn agreement with USA to promote Christian healthcare delivery

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTER

According to the statement, the MOU is tied to recent reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence. As part of the agreement, dedicated funding will be allocated to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health.

The United States of America has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a special purpose of boosting Christian faith-based healthcare services in the multi-religious society some members, relying on same America, had insisted to be a secular state in matter of Hajj, Sharia, Islamic banking among others.

Although a statement sighted by The DEFENDER on a Facebook page linked with Federal Ministry Information and National Orientation did not indicate the religious connection of the agreement, it is not so of statement by the United States’ Department of State, which let the cat out of the bag and made everything unambiguous that the new health project Tinubu has entered with Donald Trump’s country is about promoting Christian healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Recall also that the coming of this health agreement with USA is similar to how the Nigerian side handed the intervention in the Republic of Benin, where Nigerian government painted the colour of being democratic but, in the real sense, it was merely implementing the directive and interest of France like the supposedly Giant of Africa is a French colony. Critics of that action said whereas Maki, Niger and Burkina Faso have effectively rejected France and stopped being French colonies, Nigeria that is globally adjudged to be father of all black race “Tinubu has dragged to becoming French colony for quite indefensible reason”.

Our Reporter said those who have issues against the agreement are saying it is yet another good example of how playing politics by the present administration has played roles in setting apart the Nigeria where people were once United and mutually loving and supportive towards one another regardless of their colour, religious and ethnic background.

One of them who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “Tinubu came to power in the very mandate of Muslim-Muslim ticket but his policies and politics have put him up more as working to diminish the status, security and peace of the Muslims like to spite them to favour the Christians over political realignments for 2027 general elections.

“Otherwise, why do you – as president – always choose to satisfy one Nigerian side in a way that casts aspersions, fears and doubts in the other, whereas you have a constitutional duty to take provide welfare and security for everyone? Does this stop Trump now from invading your government? Because Trump cannot invade our country as we remain a sovereign nation but can invade your government with a view to replacing you with his own stooge. It means all of this you do is for your personal interest. But for how long will you continue to choose self above the collective interest you swore to the Constitution to protect?”

According to a statement by the US Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Saturday December 20, 2025 commits nearly $2.1bn in US funding to support prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.

Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement.

The agreement was announced by USSD Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, and is part of the America First Global Health Strategy.

The State Department, in a statement signed on Saturday, said Nigeria’s financial commitment represents “the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy.”

The statement said, “Today, the United States Department of State signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.

“Under this MOU, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to commit nearly $2.1bn to expand essential preventative and curative services for HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.

“Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3bn during the term of the MOU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement from the department read.

According to the statement, the MOU is tied to recent reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence.

As part of the agreement, dedicated funding will be allocated to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health.

“The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations from violence and includes significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities with a focus on expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services,” the statement said.

Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population.

US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.

“Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 per cent of Nigerians, and investments in these facilities are uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public-run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure,” the statement added.

The Department of State also emphasised that US assistance remains subject to review. “As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest,” the statement said.

The MOU was signed amid heightened US scrutiny of Nigeria, including recent travel restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump administration, which cited national security and visa overstay concerns.

The America First Global Health Strategy, released in September 2025, applies to countries receiving US health assistance and shifts US global health policy toward bilateral agreements, increased partner-country co-investment, and expanded efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other priority diseases while strengthening national health systems.