Atiku Asks FG to Publish Nigeria US Health Agreement After Ghana’s Rejection
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to publish the full details of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States following Ghana’s rejection of a proposed health pact with Washington.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, made the call in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, his campaign council’s Director of Strategic Communication.
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 disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures involving pathogen samples.
Under the agreement, the United States 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.
Ghanaian President John Mahama recently disclosed that his administration rejected a proposed US health compact over concerns relating to medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and the inspection of imported medicines.
Atiku said Nigerians should be allowed to know whether provisions similar to those rejected by Ghana are contained in the agreement signed by Nigeria.
He said, “That is precisely why the government must publish the full text. Nigerians should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name.”
The former vice-president also questioned the financial commitments Nigeria made under the agreement, citing the country’s healthcare challenges and high maternal mortality rate.
He said the Federal Government should explain how it intends to meet its domestic funding obligations under the agreement when some approved health projects have struggled to receive funding.
Atiku referenced comments by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who told lawmakers during his 2025 budget defence that only N36 million had been released from the N218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the ministry’s headquarters at the time.
“A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment,” Atiku said.
He called on the Federal Government to publish the complete memorandum of understanding, including related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.
Atiku said Nigeria should welcome international partnerships capable of improving healthcare delivery, but insisted that the government must be accountable for the terms of agreements it enters into and the results they produce.
He also urged transparency regarding other international commitments by the administration, including its expanding 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,” he said.