Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government to make public the full text of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States following Ghana’s rejection of a proposed health pact with Washington.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, made the demand in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, his campaign council’s Director of Strategic Communication.
Nigeria signed a five-year health memorandum of understanding with the United States on December 19, 2025.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the agreement covers disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures relating to pathogen samples.
Under the agreement, the US is expected to provide nearly $2bn in grants, while Nigeria has made health spending commitments projected to mobilise about $3bn over five years.
Ghana’s President, John Mahama, recently said his government rejected a proposed US health compact over concerns relating to medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and inspection of imported medicines.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said Nigerians should be allowed to determine whether similar provisions 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 also questioned whether Nigeria could meet its financial commitments under the agreement given what he described as inadequate funding for existing healthcare programmes.
He cited comments by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who told lawmakers during his 2025 budget defence that only N36m had been released from the N218bn appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the ministry’s headquarters at the time.
Atiku also referenced Nigeria’s maternal mortality burden while questioning the impact of government spending on 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.
He called on the government to publish the complete memorandum, as well as related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial commitments.
“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.”
Atiku said Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of improving healthcare delivery but insisted that the government must be transparent about the terms of such agreements and accountable for their implementation.
He also called for disclosure of the administration’s other international commitments, including its expanding 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. Nigeria’s sovereignty is not classified information,” he said.
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