HIV, North East, others get $89m US assistance

The United States (U.S) Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced $89 million in additional development assistance to Nigeria.

The latest assistance, according to the statement issued by the U.S Embassy in Abuja yesterday is part of the development agreement between US and Nigeria in 2015.

The statement reads: “The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $89 million in additional development assistance to Nigeria to continue its support for development goals outlined in a Development Objectives Assistance Agreement between the U.S. and Nigerian governments signed in 2015.

Nearly half of the new funding ($44 million) will support HIV/AIDS control through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The remainder will help northeast Nigeria increase agricultural productivity and economic growth ($15 million); strengthen education ($11 million); support good governance ($10.5 million); and improve water and sanitation infrastructure ($9 million).

The new funding brings the total U.S. government assistance provided under the five-year assistance agreement to $808.5 million.

“This new assistance underscores how important the relationship between Nigeria and the United States continues to be,” USAID Acting Mission Director Julie Koenen said. “Our strong partnership with Nigeria and its institutions will help Nigeria’s efforts to improve its health, education, agriculture and governance systems where they are needed most throughout the country.”

USAID collaborated with the Nigerian Ministry of Budget and National Planning, the Nigerian Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education, and state-level government counterparts – among others to structure the bilateral assistance agreement, which runs through 2020.

“In addition to the development assistance funding, the United States provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in Nigeria and throughout the Lake Chad Basin. The U.S government led by USAID has provided more than $526.7 million in humanitarian assistance since 2017, and continues to be the single largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the region.”