U.S. Africa Command

A group of neonatal nurses with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) show U.S. Marine Corps Gen. and commander of U.S. Africa Command Michael Langley the medical care provided to babies in the pediatric unit at a local clinic in Abuja, Nigeria, Nov. 9, 2024. When facing complex challenges whether it’s from combatting violent extremist organizations or other factors that yield instability, Nigeria’s strategic efforts to tackle its known insecurities, extend beyond its military. The Nigerian Armed Force’s commitment to addressing health issues can be seen in their collaboration both on medical care initiatives with U.S. Agency for International Development and through the public health partnership between the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense’s Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, which resulted in the establishment of Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory, an internationally accredited facility. (U.S. Department of State photo by Benevolent Okpogor)