By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) has called for transparency, equity and strong data protection safeguards in the implementation of the newly announced health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States.
In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Hamza Aliyu, and made available to journalists on Wednesday in Lokoja, the organisation said it was closely monitoring the agreement under the America First Global Health Strategy.
CiSHAN urged that the provisions of the MoU must prioritise Nigeria’s sovereignty, protect citizens’ health data and guarantee inclusive access to healthcare services.
While acknowledging the longstanding support of the United States to Nigeria’s health sector, the group noted that decades of investment in HIV treatment, tuberculosis control, malaria response and health system strengthening had saved lives and improved public health capacity nationwide.
“However, any new government-to-government health agreement must be implemented in a manner that protects Nigeria’s sovereignty, safeguards citizens’ health data, strengthens community systems and ensures that no Nigerian is excluded from lifesaving health services,” the statement said.
The organisation recognised the need for Nigeria to assume greater responsibility for health financing, but stressed that such transitions must be carefully managed to avoid disruptions to essential services.
CiSHAN also expressed concern over reports linking aspects of the agreement to support for Christian faith-based healthcare providers, warning that public health partnerships must not be framed along religious lines.
According to the group, although faith-based institutions have historically contributed significantly to healthcare delivery, Nigeria’s secular and multi-religious character requires that services remain equitable, non-discriminatory and accessible to all citizens.
“Public health must not become a platform for religious division or political misunderstanding,” the statement added, insisting that healthcare delivery should be guided strictly by need, quality and impact.
The organisation called on the Federal Government to publish the full text of the MoU and its implementation annexes, including details on financing, data sharing, pathogen handling, audit requirements and service delivery frameworks.
It also urged the National Assembly to convene a public hearing involving key stakeholders across government, civil society, health institutions and vulnerable groups to ensure broad-based scrutiny and accountability.
On data governance, CiSHAN insisted that any data-sharing arrangement must comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and other national regulations.
The group warned against unrestricted foreign access to sensitive health information, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria records, as well as genomic and pathogen samples.
CiSHAN further stressed the need to protect continuity of HIV, TB and malaria services, cautioning that no funding condition under the agreement should lead to interruptions in treatment, diagnostics or community-based support systems.
To strengthen oversight, the organisation proposed the establishment of a National Health Cooperation Accountability Forum comprising government agencies, civil society groups, healthcare providers and data protection authorities to monitor implementation and safeguard public interest.
The group concluded by urging both the Nigerian and United States governments to ensure that the agreement remains transparent, inclusive and people-centred, with every provision aligned to protect the health, dignity and rights of all Nigerians.
