A two-decade partnership between Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (NMODHIP) and the U.S. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) has identified more than 110,000 HIV cases through 1.6 million tests, marking one of the most extensive military-to-military health collaborations in Africa.
Launched in 2005, the program has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s defence health system, expanding from HIV prevention and treatment into malaria interventions, biosafety, and infectious disease surveillance. Officials from both governments gathered in Abuja last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the collaboration.
Over the years, the initiative has placed 69,000 adults and children on antiretroviral therapy, with more than 40,900 still receiving treatment today, according to a release by the U.S. embassy in Nigeria.
The effort has also tested nearly 278,000 pregnant women, identifying more than 15,000 HIV-positive cases and placing 13,377 on treatment, reducing mother-to-child transmission rates.
The partnership has strengthened the wider health system by training over 2,000 healthcare workers in HIV and TB management and upgrading more than 50 laboratories across Nigeria. In 2024, a new modular tuberculosis laboratory at the Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja expanded diagnostic capacity and raised regional biosafety standards.
20-year commemoration
Speaking at the commemoration, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the collaboration has become “a significant pillar to Nigeria’s defence health and national security,” adding that the services provided “are lifesaving and enduring.”
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills framed the milestone as a lesson in resilience:
“This partnership has not only been about scientific advancement; it has been a testament to the power of unity. Together, we have shown that by working hand in hand, we can produce extraordinary results that serve our communities better.”
Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, Director General of NMODHIP, described the partnership as “a model of resilience, innovation, and impact for soldiers, families, and communities.”
As the partnership enters its third decade, both countries pledged to deepen cooperation, expand disease surveillance, and prepare for future health threats.
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