Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the federal government to publish Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States following Ghana’s rejection of a proposed pact with Washington.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic
Congress (ADC), spoke in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of
strategic communication of his campaign council.
Nigeria signed a five-year health memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the US on December 19, 2025.
According to the federal ministry of health, the agreement
covers disease surveillance, health data systems, and procedures involving
pathogen samples.
The US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants,
while Nigeria has made health spending commitments projected to mobilise about
$3 billion over five years.
John Mahama, Ghana’s president, recently disclosed that his
government rejected a proposed US health compact over concerns about medical
records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of
imported medicines.
‘NIGERIA’S SOVEREIGNTY IS NOT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION’
The ADC presidential candidate said Nigerians should know
whether provisions rejected by Ghana are contained in the agreement signed by
Nigeria.
“That is precisely why the government must publish the full
text. Nigerians should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name,”
he said.
The former vice-president said the financial commitments
should be assessed against the state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, citing
the country’s high maternal mortality rate.
“Every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family
expected her to come home,” he said.
“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?”
Atiku also questioned how the federal government would meet
its domestic funding commitments under the agreement when approved health
projects had struggled to receive funding.
He cited comments by Ali Pate, coordinating minister of
health and social welfare, who told lawmakers that only N36 million had been
released from the N218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes
at the ministry’s headquarters in 2025 at the time of his budget defence.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health
projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar
commitment,” Atiku 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.”
He called on the federal government to publish the complete
MoU, alongside related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements,
specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.
Atiku said Nigeria welcomes international cooperation that
can improve healthcare but insisted that the government should be accountable
for the terms it accepts and the results it delivers.
“The same duty of disclosure applies to the administration’s
other international commitments, including its expanding partnership with
France,” he added.
“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.”
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