Nigeria and United States Sign MoU to Strengthen Health Cooperation
Nigeria and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in the health sector and reinforce health security and resilience across the country.
The agreement was signed in Abuja on Friday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills.
Professor Pate explained that the MoU provides a five-year technical framework to guide United States grant support to Nigeria’s health sector, while assisting the country’s transition towards increased domestic financing and reduced reliance on external aid.
He stated that the agreement would strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, public health security and service delivery nationwide, in line with Nigeria’s national health priorities and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
According to the minister, the partnership also promotes transparency, information sharing and long-term sustainability within the health system.
Professor Pate expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to health sector reforms, including increased domestic funding, and thanked the United States Government for its support in enhancing bilateral health cooperation.
The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, representatives of the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Foreign Affairs and Health, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum representing state governments, as well as officials from primary healthcare agencies, health insurance bodies and other key stakeholders.
