President Donald Trump through the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) has announced a donation of $89
million in additional development assistance to Nigeria.
This he said was in continuation of US’ support for development goals
outlined in a Development Objectives Assistance Agreement signed
between both countries.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the US
embassy stated that 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.
The statement reads in part: “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.
“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.”