On June 2, 2025, in a significant move to advance Nigeria’s healthcare system, the TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed a multi-year partnership agreement at the United Nations House, Abuja, reinforcing their commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
The agreement, signed by Lt. Gen. TY Danjuma (RTD), Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the TY Danjuma Foundation, marks a significant step toward closing Nigeria’s health financing gap. In his remarks, Gen. Danjuma stated that the provision of the grant was in response to the decision of the United States government to withdraw its funding support for the WHO, thereby threatening its ability to continue implementing various healthcare intervention programmes.
The Country Director of WHO, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, said the “partnership has the potential to serve as a model for local philanthropy-led health investments to grow in Nigeria and mobilise additional philanthropists and private sector entities to contribute to the national health initiatives”.
This collaboration highlights the importance of transparent and accountable partnerships with national stakeholders, as well as increased domestic and global investments in Nigeria’s health sector. This focus aims to strengthen healthcare access, especially for underserved rural communities.
Since its inception in 2009, the TY Danjuma Foundation has led Nigerian philanthropy through responsive grant-making, investing over $45 million in grants to improve healthcare and education. Its interventions focus on health, including maternal and child healthcare, preventable blindness, and curbing the spread of neglected tropical diseases (e.g. onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis). Additionally, it trains teachers to enhance children’s education.
The Foundation’s leadership has set a premise for local and international NGOs, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can drive sustainable development. This partnership is demonstrative for other philanthropic and health sector actors to mobilise resources toward achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. By leveraging local and global synergies, the Foundation and WHO aim to create a resilient, inclusive healthcare system for all Nigerians.