Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to publish the full text of Nigeria’s $5 billion health agreement with the United States.
Atiku made the demand on Tuesday following Ghana’s decision to reject a similar proposed health compact with the US over concerns about health data, pathogen information, funding commitments and regulatory powers.
In a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Ghana’s decision raised questions about whether similar provisions were included in the agreement signed by Nigeria.
“At this point, Nigerians do not know whether the provisions Ghana rejected are in the agreement Tinubu signed,” Atiku said.
He added that the government should publish the agreement so Nigerians would know the terms negotiated on their behalf.
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 areas including disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures relating to pathogen samples.
The US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has made health spending commitments projected to mobilise nearly $3 billion over five years.
Atiku questioned whether Nigeria would be able to meet its financial obligations under the agreement, citing remarks by Health Minister Ali Pate 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.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment,” Atiku said.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, citing estimates that maternal deaths in the country reached about 75,000 in 2023.
“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 called for the publication of the agreement and all related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial commitments.
He specifically asked whether Nigerian medical information or pathogen samples could be transferred outside the country, who would have access to such information, what safeguards would protect patients and whether the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would retain full authority to inspect medicines and medical products.
Atiku also questioned the funding commitments made by the Federal Government and state governments under the agreement.
Ghanaian President John Mahama had disclosed that his country rejected the proposed US health compact after its Ministry of Health reviewed the agreement and raised concerns about provisions involving medical records, pathogen profiles, counterpart funding and the inspection of medicines and medical products.
Atiku said Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of strengthening its healthcare system but insisted that the terms of such agreements should be transparent and that the government should be accountable for their implementation.
He also called for similar disclosure of other international commitments entered into by the Tinubu administration, including its growing 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,” Atiku said.
