Abuja, Nigeria | September 24, 2025
Senior defence and health leaders from Nigeria and the United States have commemorated the 20th anniversary of a military-to-military health partnership that has strengthened healthcare delivery for service personnel and their families.
The ceremony in Abuja brought together top officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Minister of State for Defence, and representatives of the United States government and military medical corps.
The partnership, anchored by the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Africa, has focused on improving force medical readiness and advancing public health outcomes.
Over the past two decades, the collaboration has recorded significant achievements, including more than 1.6 million people tested and counselled for HIV, thousands placed on antiretroviral therapy, and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
It has also supported the development of military laboratory infrastructure and expanded training for medical personnel.
Nigerian defence officials highlighted the need to sustain and scale the gains made, particularly by strengthening healthcare financing and integrating military health with national systems. U.S. representatives reaffirmed their country’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in bolstering defence health services and public health security.
The anniversary underscored the role of international cooperation in advancing military medicine, with both countries pledging to build on the partnership for greater impact in the years ahead.
