By Joyce Ekeh
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate publication of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States, following Ghanaian President John Mahama’s disclosure that his country rejected a similar proposal.
Atiku said Mahama’s disclosure had raised legitimate questions about the contents of the agreement signed by Nigeria and made it necessary for the Federal Government to place the full document before Nigerians.
In a press statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians should not be left to speculate about the terms of an agreement signed on their behalf.
“At this point, Nigerians do not know whether the provisions Ghana rejected are in the agreement Tinubu signed. That is precisely why the government must publish the full text. Nigerians should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name,” Atiku said.
Nigeria signed a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States on December 19, 2025.
The agreement covers areas including disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures relating to pathogen samples. Under the arrangement, the US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria’s commitments are projected to mobilise nearly $3 billion in domestic health financing over five years.
Atiku said the financial commitments should be examined against the country’s healthcare challenges, including an estimated 75,000 maternal deaths recorded in 2023.
“Every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family expected her to come home. This crisis did not begin under Tinubu, but he has had more than three years to show Nigerians how his government is making childbirth safer. Where are the results?” he asked.
Atiku Questions Nigeria’s Funding Capacity
The former vice president also questioned the Federal Government’s ability to meet its domestic funding obligations under the agreement, citing the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s 2025 capital budget.
He referred to a statement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, that only ₦36 million had been released from the ₦218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the ministry’s headquarters in 2025.
Atiku said the reported funding gap raised questions about how Nigeria would fulfil a multibillion-dollar commitment under the new health partnership.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment,” he said.
“A signed partnership cannot staff a maternity ward, supply a hospital or save a woman in labour. Nigerians need to see the funding and the care.”
Demand for Full Disclosure
Atiku called on the Federal Government to publish the complete MoU, including related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.
He also demanded clarification on the handling of Nigerians’ medical information and pathogen samples.
“Can Nigerians’ medical information or pathogen samples leave the country? Who may access them? What safeguards protect patients? Does NAFDAC retain full authority to inspect medicines and medical products? What exactly have the Federal Government and the states promised to spend?” he asked.
According to Atiku, the government should provide clear answers to the questions and make the relevant documents available to the public.
“Tinubu should put the documents before Nigerians and answer these questions plainly,” he said.
The ADC chieftain said Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of improving healthcare and saving lives but maintained that the government must remain accountable for the terms it accepts and the results those agreements produce.
He also referenced Nigeria’s expanding partnership with France as part of the broader need for transparency in international agreements involving the country’s healthcare sector.
“Ghana examined the proposal before it and said no. Nigeria has already signed. Tinubu must now tell Nigerians exactly what he said yes to. Nigeria’s sovereignty is not classified information,” Atiku said.
