Atiku demands full disclosure of Nigeria-U.S health deal
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to publish the full text 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 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the call in a statement issued by his campaign council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
Nigeria signed a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States on December 19, 2025.
The Federal Ministry of Health said the agreement covers areas including disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures for handling pathogen samples.
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Under the arrangement, the US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has made health-related spending commitments projected to mobilise about $3 billion over five years.
Atiku’s call followed comments by Ghanaian President John Mahama that his government had rejected a proposed US health compact due to concerns over medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of imported medicines.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said Nigerians should be given access to Nigeria’s agreement with the US so they can determine whether it contains similar provisions.
“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 Nigeria’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations under the agreement, citing what he described as inadequate funding for existing healthcare programmes.
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He referred to comments made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, during the ministry’s 2025 budget defence before lawmakers.
According to Atiku, Pate disclosed at the time that only N36 million had been released out of the N218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the ministry’s headquarters.
Atiku also raised concerns about Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate and questioned 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 urged the Federal Government to publish the complete MoU alongside all related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial commitments.
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“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 that could strengthen healthcare delivery but maintained that the government must be transparent about the terms of such agreements and accountable for their implementation.
He further called for the disclosure of other international commitments entered into by the administration, 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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