Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to publish the full details of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States.
Atiku’s demand followed comments by Ghanaian President John Mahama that Ghana rejected a similar proposal over concerns involving medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of imported medicines.
In a statement by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the development made it necessary for Nigerians to understand the terms of the agreement signed by the Federal Government.
“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 with the US on December 19, 2025.
The agreement covers disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures involving pathogen samples. The United States is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria’s commitments are projected to mobilise almost $3 billion in domestic health financing over five years.
Atiku questioned the commitments against Nigeria’s existing healthcare challenges, pointing to 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 said.
The former vice president also questioned whether Nigeria has demonstrated sufficient capacity to meet its domestic financial obligations under the agreement.
He referred to remarks by Health Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who told lawmakers that only ₦36 million was released from the ₦218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the ministry’s headquarters in 2025.
Atiku said the figures raised questions about how the government intends to meet larger commitments under the Nigeria-US health deal.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment. 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 said.
Atiku also called for the publication of the full MoU alongside its protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.
He asked the government to clarify whether Nigerians’ medical information or pathogen samples could leave the country and who would have access to them.
He further sought clarification on safeguards for patients, NAFDAC’s authority to inspect medicines and medical products, and the financial obligations undertaken by the Federal Government and states.
“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? Tinubu should put the documents before Nigerians and answer these questions plainly,” Atiku said.
Atiku said Nigeria should welcome international cooperation capable of saving lives but maintained that the government must be accountable for the terms it accepts and the outcomes delivered.
He also referenced Nigeria’s expanding partnership with France while calling for greater transparency around international health agreements.
“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,” he added.
The Federal Government had not issued a detailed response to Atiku’s demand for publication of the agreement at the time of filing this report.
The Presidency and Ministry of Health may clarify the terms of the Nigeria-US health deal, particularly its provisions on health data, pathogen samples, funding commitments, regulatory oversight and safeguards for medical information.
