By Bavoriat Clara
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has commended the 20-year partnership between the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP) and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Africa, describing it as a shining example of military health cooperation that has strengthened Nigeria’s defence health system.
Speaking in Abuja as Special Guest of Honour at the anniversary celebration themed “Forging the Future: 20 Years of Military-to-Military Partnership that Advances Force Readiness and Public Health,” Dr. Matawalle said the collaboration had demonstrated resilience and impact despite global funding challenges.
He noted that MODHIP had sustained essential services without interruption, stressing that the programme’s work goes beyond healthcare to directly support national defence. “Health is not just a social service but a strategic enabler of national defence,” the Minister said. “Each clinic visit restores a soldier to duty, each laboratory result guides timely treatment, and each trained medical officer contributes directly to operational readiness.”
The Minister added that the Tinubu administration places the welfare of service members and their families at the heart of national security. He also disclosed that MODHIP’s inclusion on the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority would enable the design of a tailored military health insurance pathway to achieve broader universal health coverage.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, OFR, praised the MODHIP–WRAIR collaboration as a model partnership that has saved lives and enhanced Nigeria’s military health capacity. He highlighted its role in HIV prevention and treatment, the COVID-19 response, and the training of thousands of healthcare professionals.
“This extraordinary partnership, built on the foundation of service, science, and sacrifice, has not only strengthened the health systems of our military but has also saved countless lives across Nigeria,” General Musa said. He urged stakeholders to sustain the collaboration, stressing that innovation and commitment remain vital to public health and force readiness.
Earlier, the Director General of MODHIP, Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, said the anniversary reflects two decades of visionary collaboration rooted in mutual trust. He noted that the programme has tested over 500,000 Nigerians, placed hundreds of thousands on treatment, and established advanced laboratories such as the Defence Reference Laboratory and TB Reference Laboratory, making Nigeria’s defence health sector a regional model of excellence.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., in his goodwill message, described the collaboration as “a visionary partnership that transcends borders.” He said the programme has fortified Nigeria’s role as a regional leader in public health resilience while demonstrating the power of science and collaboration to protect both forces and communities. Mills reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to advancing scientific research, strengthening military health systems, and ensuring resilience against global health threats.
On her part, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Major General Paula Lodi, underscored the strength of the partnership, drawing from the Yoruba proverb that says “a single tree cannot make a forest.” She explained that the collaboration has delivered transformative health outcomes, strengthened security cooperation, and laid a strong foundation for future global health responses.
Since its inception in 2005, the MODHIP–WRAIR partnership has expanded beyond HIV/AIDS to address malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, and emerging diseases, while also boosting health surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and medical research for both military and civilian use.
The event was attended by senior Nigerian defence officials, U.S. representatives, health experts, and development partners, all reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation in advancing military health and national security.
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