Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to make public the full details of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States, following Ghana’s decision to reject a proposed health pact with Washington.
Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for his campaign council.
Nigeria entered into a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States on December 19, 2025.
The agreement covers areas including disease surveillance, health information systems and procedures relating to pathogen samples.
Under the arrangement, the US is expected to provide almost $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has made health-related spending commitments projected to mobilise about $3 billion over five years.
Atiku’s call comes after Ghanaian President John Mahama disclosed that his government had rejected a proposed health compact with the US.
Mahama said Ghana had concerns over issues including access to medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of medicines imported into the country.
Atiku said the development makes it necessary for Nigerians to know whether similar provisions are contained in the agreement already 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 also questioned whether Nigeria’s financial commitments under the agreement are realistic given the country’s healthcare challenges and the funding difficulties faced by government health programmes.
He referenced Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate, stressing the human cost of inadequate healthcare.
“Every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family expected her to come home,” Atiku said.
He added that while the problem predates the current administration, the government should be able to demonstrate the progress it has made in improving maternal healthcare.
“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 further questioned how the Federal Government intends to meet its domestic funding obligations under the agreement when some approved health projects have faced delays in receiving funds.
He cited comments by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who told lawmakers during a budget defence 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.
“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.”
The ADC candidate called for the publication of the complete agreement, including related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial commitments.
He said Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of improving healthcare but insisted that the government must be transparent about the terms it accepts and accountable for the results.
“The same duty of disclosure applies to the administration’s other international commitments, including its expanding partnership with France,” he added.
Atiku said Ghana had examined the proposed agreement and decided against signing it, while Nigeria had already entered into its own arrangement.
“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 said.
