Nigeria Risks $1.4bn US Health Aid Over Concerns About Violence Against Christians
Nigeria could lose access to a fresh $1.4 billion in United States health and humanitarian assistance if the administration of President Bola Tinubu fails to take steps to address violence against Christians, according to conditions contained in a bilateral agreement between both countries.
The condition is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the US and Nigerian governments under the America First Global Health Strategy.
The agreement could have significant implications for Nigeria’s access to the new American funding, particularly programmes supporting faith-based healthcare facilities across the country.
The MoU, signed on December 20, 2025, between the US Department of State and the Nigerian government, provides for Washington to commit nearly $2.1 billion over five years to support and strengthen healthcare services in Nigeria.
The planned assistance is aimed at expanding both preventive and curative healthcare programmes, with funding covering key areas including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio prevention and treatment.
Under the terms of the agreement, however, continued access to a substantial portion of the assistance is linked to Nigeria’s efforts to address violence targeting Christians.
The condition could become particularly important for faith-based health institutions, which provide healthcare services to communities across several parts of the country.
The development places additional pressure on the Nigerian government to demonstrate progress in protecting vulnerable communities and addressing persistent violence while maintaining access to critical international health assistance.
