Nigeria, United States Celebrate 20 Years of Defence Health Partnership at Abuja Continental
Abuja – Top defence and health officials from Nigeria and the United States converged on the Abuja Continental Hotel today to mark two decades of collaboration between the Nigeria Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (NMODHIP) and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).
The exclusive anniversary ceremony, obtained by PulseNets, was attended by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Richard Mills, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Commanding General of the US Army Medical Research and Development Command Major General Paula C. Lodi, NMODHIP Director General Brigadier General IB Solebo, WRAIR Commander Colonel Brianna Perata, WRAIR Africa Director Colonel Shannon Lacy and WRAIR Nigeria Country Director Helina Meri. Senior military leaders, health experts and government representatives from both nations were also present.
Brigadier General Solebo, in his welcome address, told PulseNets that the MODHIP and WRAIR partnership has
“strengthened Nigeria’s military and public health response, expanded access to HIV care, built cutting-edge laboratories and trained thousands of health workers while driving breakthrough research. This collaboration stands today as a beacon of innovation and impact for soldiers, their families and the wider communities.”
In his remarks, Dr Matawalle commended the two-decade partnership and its lifesaving achievements. Speaking exclusively, he said,
“This cooperation has become a vital pillar of Nigeria’s defence health and national security. Its contributions have saved lives and safeguarded our troops. On behalf of our government, I express deep gratitude to the United States and pledge our unwavering support to strengthen this alliance even further.”
PulseNets reported that the WRAIR–NMODHIP collaboration, established in 2005, remains a cornerstone of military-to-military health cooperation. Its operations cover HIV programming under the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), biosafety and biosecurity initiatives, and infectious disease surveillance and research. The partnership has also fought malaria through interventions supported by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).
Over the last twenty years, the program has transformed Nigeria’s health outcomes. PulseNets learnt that more than 69,000 adults and children have begun antiretroviral therapy, with over 40,900 currently receiving treatment and 77,000 enrolled overall. HIV testing services have reached 1.6 million individuals, identifying 110,097 positives—a yield of seven percent. Among women, 277,975 pregnant mothers have been counselled and tested, with 15,098 identified as positive and 13,377 placed on treatment to prevent transmission to their babies.
The partnership has further strengthened Nigeria’s health infrastructure by training over 2,000 healthcare workers in HIV and TB management and upgrading more than 50 laboratories nationwide. Notably, in 2024, a state-of-the-art TB Modular Laboratory was commissioned at the Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja, boosting Nigeria’s diagnostic capacity and elevating regional biosafety standards.
Ambassador Mills spoke to PulseNets about the significance of the partnership, stating,
“This collaboration is far more than scientific milestones. It is a powerful testament to unity. Despite formidable challenges, the resilience and shared dedication of WRAIR and NMODHIP have turned obstacles into opportunities. Together, we have demonstrated that hand-in-hand cooperation yields extraordinary results for our communities.”
In her closing remarks, Helina Meri expressed gratitude to the leadership of both nations. She told PulseNets,
“This partnership showcases the transformative power of science, collaboration and shared commitment to humanity’s well-being. As we step into the next decade, we carry forward this legacy of service and innovation.”
As the WRAIR–NMODHIP partnership begins its third decade, both countries reaffirmed their resolve to build on past successes and prepare for future health challenges, ensuring the sustainability of one of Africa’s most impactful defence health collaborations.
Also Read: Following the terror alert, the United States evacuates diplomatic personnel and their families from Abuja
About WRAIR
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is the US Department of Defense’s largest biomedical research facility, conducting vital work on infectious diseases and medical threats to protect the health and readiness of US service members and global communities.
About NMODHIP
The Nigeria Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme implements strategic health programs with US government support, focusing on infectious disease research, HIV prevention and treatment, biosafety, biosecurity and strengthening health systems serving both military and civilian populations.
