By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has described the 20-year partnership between the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MODHIP) and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Africa as a shining model of military health cooperation that has strengthened Nigeria’s defence health system and contributed directly to national security.
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 has remained resilient and impactful despite global funding challenges. He commended MODHIP for sustaining critical services without interruption, stressing that its contributions go far beyond healthcare delivery.
“Health is not just a social service but a strategic enabler of national defence. 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 declared. He reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration places the welfare of service members and their families at the core of national security, adding that MODHIP’s inclusion in the Governing Council of the National Health Insurance Authority would pave the way for a tailored military health insurance pathway to advance universal health coverage.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, lauded the MODHIP–WRAIR collaboration as a model partnership that has enhanced military health capacity and saved countless lives. He highlighted its notable achievements 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 our military health system but has also saved lives across Nigeria,” General Musa said, calling for sustained collaboration and innovation as vital ingredients for force readiness and public health.
Earlier, the Director General of MODHIP, Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, described the anniversary as a celebration of two decades of visionary collaboration rooted in trust and shared purpose. He revealed 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 the TB Reference Laboratory, positioning Nigeria’s defence health sector as a regional model of excellence.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., in a goodwill message, hailed the collaboration as “a visionary partnership that transcends borders.” He noted that the programme has fortified Nigeria’s role as a regional leader in public health resilience while showcasing the power of science and collaboration in protecting both military personnel and civilian communities. Mills reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to advancing scientific research, strengthening military health systems, and building resilience against global health threats.
Similarly, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Major General Paula Lodi, underscored the enduring value of the collaboration. Citing a Yoruba proverb “a single tree cannot make a forest” she said the partnership has delivered transformative health outcomes, strengthened security cooperation, and laid the groundwork for future global health responses.
Since its establishment in 2005, the MODHIP–WRAIR partnership has expanded beyond HIV/AIDS to address malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, and other emerging diseases, while also advancing medical research, surveillance, and diagnostic capacity for both military and civilian populations.
The anniversary celebration drew 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.
