ADC Raises Constitutional Concerns, Demands
ADC Raises Constitutional Concerns, Demands Clarification on U.S.–Nigeria Health MoU
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to clarify the contents and implications of the recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States, citing concerns over conflicting public descriptions of the agreement and possible constitutional breaches.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party said while the Federal Government has presented the MoU as a technical framework to strengthen health security, expand primary healthcare and increase domestic health financing, official statements from the United States Embassy described the agreement in terms the ADC said introduce religious and identity-based framing.
According to the party, the U.S. description suggests that spending under the MoU would target health institutions backed by a particular religion, raising concerns over inclusiveness.
The ADC said Nigeria should not enter into any agreement that is sectional or inimical to the country’s constitutional commitment to national unity and inclusion. It added that certain conditions reportedly granting the United States unilateral powers to terminate the agreement were absent from the Federal Government’s public presentation of the MoU, describing the omission as troubling.
The party argued that the divergence between Abuja’s and Washington’s versions of the agreement goes beyond a communication issue and raises questions about transparency, constitutional compliance and Nigeria’s sovereignty. It called on the Federal Government to publish the full text of the signed MoU, including annexes and accompanying instruments, to allow public scrutiny.
The statement also questioned Nigeria’s financial commitment under the agreement, noting that while the United States is expected to provide about $2 billion in grant support over five years, Nigeria is reportedly committing close to $3 billion in domestic health financing over the same period.
The ADC said it was difficult to justify an arrangement where Nigeria bears a larger financial burden while decisions on beneficiaries and the direction of cooperation appear to lie outside the country.
The party warned that introducing identity considerations into public health financing could politicise healthcare delivery, undermine public trust, and expose vulnerable institutions and workers to avoidable tension.
Reaffirming support for foreign assistance and bilateral cooperation, the ADC insisted that such partnerships must respect Nigeria’s diversity and comply with constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination. It urged the Federal Government to clearly explain how the agreement aligns with constitutional requirements and preserves Nigeria’s authority over public policy choices.
The statement was signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, and dated January 18, 2026.
