Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has demanded the immediate publication of the health agreement Nigeria signed with the United States of America (UAS) in 2025.
Atiku, in a statement issued by Director, Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Phrank Shaibu, said the publication became necessary following the disclosure by President John Mahama that Ghana rejected the agreement over concerns about medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of imported medicines.
The ADC candidate said Nigerians want to know whether the provisions Ghana rejected are included in the agreement President Bola Tinubu signed.
“Nigerians should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name,” he stated.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the five-year health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Nigeria signed with America in December 2025 covers disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures involving pathogen samples
The United States is expected to provide about $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria is expected to commit about $3 billion over five years.
Atiku said those commitments must be measured against the condition of healthcare at home, noting that Nigeria’s maternal deaths were put at 75,000 in 2023, the highest total in the world.
“Every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family expected her to come home.
“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.
The former Vice President also demanded to know how President Tinubu’s administration intends to fulfil its domestic funding commitments when approved health projects have struggled to receive funds.
He recalled that Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, told the National Assembly during a budget defence that his ministry received only ₦36 million out of the ₦218 billion appropriated for capital projects in 2025.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment.
“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.
He called on the Federal Government to publish the complete Memorandum of Understanding, together with every related protocol, annex, data-sharing arrangement, specimen-sharing agreement and financial undertaking.
He wondered about safeguards that would protect Nigerians’ medical information or pathogen samples if taken out of the country.
“Who may access them? Does NAFDAC retain full authority to inspect medicines and medical products?
“What exactly have the Federal Government and the states promised to spend?
“Tinubu should put the documents before Nigerians and answer these questions plainly,” Atiku demanded.
He stated that while Nigeria welcomes international cooperation that saves lives, the government must be accountable for the terms it accepts and the results it delivers.
“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 added.
