Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to immediately publish the full text of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States.
Atiku’s demand followed fresh concerns over a similar US health compact rejected by Ghana, with President John Mahama citing issues involving medical records, pathogen information, counterpart funding and regulatory powers over medicines.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians deserved to know the details of the agreement signed by the Federal Government.
Nigeria and the United States signed a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on December 19, 2025. According to the Federal Ministry of Information, the agreement covers disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory systems, pathogen sample collection and handling, health data systems, primary healthcare and access to essential health commodities.
The Federal Government said the United States was expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants over five years, while Nigeria had committed to increasing domestic health financing, projected by the government at nearly $3 billion during the period.
However, Atiku said Ghana’s rejection of its proposed agreement had made greater transparency around Nigeria’s deal necessary.
“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,” he said.
Ghanaian President John Mahama recently said his country rejected the proposed US compact after its Ministry of Health and Cabinet raised concerns over provisions he said involved access to Ghana’s pathogen profile and medical records, counterpart funding and restrictions concerning inspection of medical products by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority.
Atiku said the Nigerian government should therefore disclose the complete agreement, including related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing provisions and financial commitments.
He also asked the government to clarify whether Nigerian patients’ medical information or pathogen samples could be transferred outside the country and identify who would have access to such information.
The ADC candidate further demanded details of the safeguards protecting patients’ data, the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in inspecting medicines and medical products, and the specific financial obligations of the Federal Government and state governments.
Atiku also questioned Nigeria’s capacity to meet its domestic funding obligations under the agreement.
He cited comments attributed to Health Minister, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, concerning releases for health capital projects and programmes, arguing that funding implementation should be clarified alongside the new international commitments.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment,” Atiku said.
He also linked the issue to Nigeria’s maternal health challenges, citing estimates that placed the country’s maternal deaths at about 75,000 in 2023.
“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 stressed that Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of strengthening the health sector and saving lives, but said such agreements should be accompanied by transparency and accountability.
He also urged the Federal Government to apply the same level of disclosure to its other international agreements, including its growing partnership with France.
“Ghana examined the proposal before it and said no. Nigeria has already signed. Tinubu must now tell Nigerians exactly what he said yes to,” Atiku said.
The Federal Government has maintained that the Nigeria-US health agreement is aimed at strengthening health security, expanding primary healthcare and supporting Nigeria’s transition towards greater health-sector self-reliance.
