Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Tinubu administration to publish the complete details of a $700 million minerals agreement recently signed between Nigeria and the United States, amid growing questions over its terms.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku demanded that the Federal Government release the full Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) alongside all related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements, and financial commitments tied to the deal.
The former vice president drew attention to a similar minerals arrangement rejected by Ghana’s government under President John Mahama, questioning whether the agreement Tinubu signed contains the same provisions Accra found objectionable.
“At this point, Nigerians do not know whether the provisions Ghana rejected are in the agreement Tinubu signed,” Atiku 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.”
He raised pointed questions about the deal’s scope, including whether Nigerians’ medical information or pathogen samples could leave the country, who would have access to such data, what safeguards exist for patients, and whether NAFDAC would retain full regulatory authority over medicines and medical products entering or affected by the arrangement. He also pressed for clarity on the financial obligations both the federal and state governments may have undertaken.
The demand comes as controversy continues to swirl around the agreement. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole pushed back against claims of secrecy during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, asserting that Nigeria possesses mineral resources the United States needs and rejecting suggestions that the deal was shrouded in confidentiality.
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