Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Nigerian government to publish the country's health agreement with the United States. This demand comes after Ghanaian President John Mahama revealed that Ghana rejected a proposed US health compact due to concerns over medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations, and inspection of imported medicines. Atiku's statement was issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku expressed concerns that Nigerians are unaware of the provisions in the agreement signed by President Tinubu. He emphasized that the government must publish the full text of the agreement to avoid speculation about its contents. Ghana's rejection of the US health compact was based on a review by its Ministry of Health, which flagged several provisions. These included the country's pathogen profile, medical records, counterpart funding, and the inspection of medicines and medical products.
Nigeria signed its five-year health Memorandum of Understanding with the United States on December 19, 2025. The agreement covers disease surveillance, laboratory systems, and biosafety procedures for pathogen sample collection, transport, testing, storage, and disposal, as well as health data systems. The US is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has committed to increasing domestic health financing by nearly $3 billion over five years.
Atiku questioned the effectiveness of the agreement, citing the current state of healthcare in Nigeria. He stated that the latest internationally comparable estimates put Nigeria's maternal deaths at 75,000 in 2023, the highest total in the world. Atiku emphasized that every one of those deaths represents a woman whose family expected her to come home. He called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to improving healthcare.
Atiku also expressed concerns about the government's ability to fulfil its domestic funding commitments. Health Minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate revealed that only N36 million had been released from the N218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the Ministry of Health headquarters in 2025. Atiku questioned how the administration would honour its multibillion-dollar commitment.
The former vice president called on the Federal Government to publish the complete Memorandum of Understanding, along with every related protocol, annex, data-sharing arrangement, specimen-sharing agreement, and financial undertaking. He sought clarity on issues such as access to medical information, pathogen samples, and safeguards to protect patients. Atiku also questioned whether NAFDAC retains full authority to regulate medical products.
Atiku's demand for transparency comes as Nigerians await tangible results from the government's healthcare initiatives. With the agreement's implementation, Nigerians expect to see improvements in healthcare services, particularly in reducing maternal mortality rates. The government's response to Atiku's demands remains to be seen.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar demands publication of Nigeria-US health agreement
- Ghana rejected similar US health compact over concerns about medical records and funding obligations
- Nigeria's maternal mortality rate stood at 75,000 in 2023, the highest in the world
