By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to immediately publish the full text of a recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States, citing stark discrepancies in how Abuja and Washington have publicly described the agreement.
In a press statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party highlighted conflicting framings: Nigeria’s official portrayal emphasizes a technical, inclusive partnership to bolster health security, expand primary healthcare, and boost domestic financing, while U.S. statements introduce “religious, identity-based framing” that appears to prioritize funding for health institutions linked to a particular religion, specifically Christian faith-based providers.
The party noted that the MoU, signed in December 2025 and effective from April 2026 to December 2030, commits the U.S. to nearly $2 billion in grant support for priorities including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal/child health. Nigeria has pledged around $3 billion in domestic health financing over the same period, with commitments already reflected in the 2026 budget proposal.
The ADC expressed alarm over U.S. Embassy descriptions that place “a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers,” allocating approximately $200 million to strengthen such facilities, which serve over 30% of Nigerians despite comprising only about 10% of providers. It also flagged U.S. references to unilateral termination powers tied to Nigeria’s progress on protecting Christian populations from violence, which were absent from Nigerian government accounts.
“This divergence is not a mere communications issue. It appears calculated to avoid public scrutiny, raising fundamental questions about transparency, constitutional compliance, and Nigeria’s sovereignty,” the statement read.
The party invoked constitutional provisions, including Section 42(1) prohibiting discrimination based on religion, and Sections 15 and 17 mandating national integration and equality. It argued that injecting identity-based distinctions into public health funding risks politicizing care, eroding trust, and creating tensions in a diverse nation.
The ADC reaffirmed support for international health partnerships but insisted they must remain neutral, inclusive, and respectful of Nigeria’s diversity.
Acording to the statement, the ADC demanded: Immediate publication of the full MoU, including annexes. Clarification on whether U.S. mentioned identity-based and security-linked conditions form part of the signed text. Explanation of how the deal aligns with the Constitution and safeguards Nigeria’s sovereign policy authority.
The statement comes amid broader scrutiny of the agreement, signed under the “America First Global Health Strategy.” Nigerian officials, including Coordinating Minister of Health Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, have described it as a step toward self-reliance and resilience, with no mention of religious targeting.
U.S. statements link the MoU to reforms protecting Christian communities from extremist violence, amid ongoing concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria.
