Atiku demands release of Nigeria-US health agreement following Ghana’s rejection

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to make public Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the demand in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of his campaign council.

The call followed Ghana’s decision to reject a proposed health agreement with the US, prompting Atiku to seek greater transparency over Nigeria’s own arrangement with Washington.

Nigeria entered into a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States on December 19, 2025.

Atiku is now asking the Federal Government to publish the details of the agreement for Nigerians to examine.

According to the federal ministry of health, the agreement covers disease surveillance, health data systems, and procedures involving pathogen samples.

The US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has made health spending commitments projected to mobilise about $3 billion over five years.

John Mahama, Ghana’s president, recently disclosed that his government rejected a proposed US health compact over concerns about medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of imported medicines.

‘NIGERIA’S SOVEREIGNTY IS NOT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION’

The ADC presidential candidate said Nigerians should know whether provisions rejected by Ghana 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 said the financial commitments should be assessed against the state of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, citing the country’s high maternal mortality rate.

“Every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family expected her to come home,” he said.

“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?”

Atiku also questioned how the federal government would meet its domestic funding commitments under the agreement when approved health projects had struggled to receive funding.

He cited comments by Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, who told lawmakers 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 of his budget defence.

“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.”

He called on the federal government to publish the complete MoU, alongside related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.

Atiku said Nigeria welcomes international cooperation that can improve healthcare but insisted that the government should be accountable for the terms it accepts and the results it delivers.

“The same duty of disclosure applies to the administration’s other international commitments, including its expanding partnership with France,” he added.

“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.”

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!