Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to disclose the full terms of Nigeria's health agreement with the United States. This follows Ghanaian President John Mahama's revelation that his country rejected a proposed US health compact due to concerns over medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations, and inspection of imported medicines. Atiku's demand comes as Nigerians remain unaware of the provisions in the agreement signed by Tinubu's administration.
Ghana's Cabinet rejected the proposed US health compact on September 25, after reviewing provisions that required the country to provide its pathogen profile and medical records, commit counterpart funding, and limit the Food and Drugs Authority's power to inspect medicines and medical products. In contrast, Nigeria signed its five-year health Memorandum of Understanding with the US on December 19, 2025. The agreement covers disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory systems, and biosafety procedures.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the agreement with the US will provide nearly $2 billion in grants between April 2026 and December 2030. In return, Nigeria has committed to allocating at least six percent of executed annual federal and state budgets to health, projected to mobilize nearly $3 billion in domestic financing over the same period. Atiku has questioned the commitments against Nigeria's healthcare challenges, citing maternal mortality as a particular concern.
Atiku expressed concern over the high number of maternal mortality cases in Nigeria, stating that every death represents a woman whose family expected her to come home. He also questioned the Federal Government's ability to meet its domestic funding commitments, citing a statement by Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate that only ₦36 million had been released from the ₦218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programs at the Ministry of Health headquarters in 2025.
The former Vice President called for the publication of the complete MoU and all related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements, and financial undertakings. He asked if Nigerians' medical information or pathogen samples could leave the country, who may access them, and what safeguards protect patients. Atiku also inquired whether NAFDAC retains full authority to inspect medicines and medical products.
Atiku emphasized that Nigeria should welcome international health cooperation but insisted that the government must disclose the terms of agreements entered into on behalf of Nigerians. He also called for disclosure of other international commitments by the administration, including its expanding partnership with France. Atiku stressed that Nigeria's sovereignty is not classified information and that Tinubu must tell Nigerians exactly what he agreed to.
The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate urged Nigerians to examine the full terms of the agreement, stating that they should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name. Atiku's demand for transparency comes as Nigerians seek to understand the implications of the health agreement on the country's healthcare system and sovereignty.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar demands publication of Nigeria's health agreement with US
- Nigeria signed a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding with the US on December 19, 2025
- Atiku questions Nigeria's ability to meet domestic funding commitments for healthcare
