NSCEA Demands Transparency from Federal Government Over $2.1bn U.S.–Nigeria Health MoU
The (NSCEA) has formally called on the to publicly disclose the status, disbursement, and implementation details of a reported $2.1 billion health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allegedly signed in December 2025 between Nigeria and the .
The five-year agreement, reportedly concluded under the administration of , is said to focus on strengthening Nigeria’s health system with special recognition of Christian faith-based healthcare providers serving vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.
In a public statement signed by Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Secretary General of the Elders’ Council, NSCEA asked a central question:
“Where is this fund support, and how has it been spent so far for Nigerian Christians?”
Faith-Based Health Institutions Described as “National Lifeline”
NSCEA emphasized that Christian hospitals, mission clinics, and faith-based medical centers have historically played a critical role in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, particularly in underserved rural and crisis-prone regions.
According to the Council, these institutions provide:
- Maternal and child healthcare
- Emergency and trauma services
- HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria interventions
- Immunization and polio response
- Community health outreach and disease surveillance
The Council noted that many of these facilities operate in areas facing insecurity, displacement, and repeated attacks on Christian communities, often with limited federal support.
Key Questions Raised by NSCEA
While welcoming international recognition of Nigeria’s Christian humanitarian infrastructure, NSCEA insists that agreements must move beyond announcements.
The Council is demanding clarification on the following:
If Implementation Has Begun in 2026:
- What amount of the $2.1 billion has been released?
- Which federal agencies are overseeing the implementation?
- Which Christian health facilities have received support?
- What services or infrastructure have been strengthened?
If Implementation Has Not Begun:
- What administrative or political bottlenecks are delaying it?
- When will implementation commence?
Call for Transparency and Public Reporting
NSCEA expressed concern that international agreements risk becoming “press statements and elite-controlled frameworks” if transparency mechanisms are absent.
The Council formally requested:
1. A Public 2026 First-Quarter Implementation Report
Detailing:
- Disbursement schedules
- U.S. funding components received
- Nigeria’s counterpart funding contributions
- Project milestones
2. A Transparent List of Beneficiary Christian Health Facilities
Including:
- Enrolled mission hospitals
- Qualified clinics
- Nature of support (equipment, grants, medicines, training)
3. A Joint Monitoring Committee
Proposed members:
- Federal Ministry of Health representatives
- Christian healthcare networks
- Civil society health accountability groups
- Security and humanitarian agencies
4. Protection for Christian Health Workers
The Council stressed that funding would be ineffective without security reforms to protect:
- Mission hospitals in high-risk zones
- Christian medical personnel
- Faith-based institutions facing threats
Linking Health Funding to Security Realities
NSCEA underscored that Christian communities in certain regions continue to experience displacement, kidnappings, attacks on churches, and destruction of property.
“Health support must not be separated from security reality,” the statement read, arguing that investments in healthcare cannot succeed where communities cannot safely access services.
“Not an Attack, But a National Call”
The Council clarified that its request is not an act of hostility toward the government but a demand for accountability and fairness.
“NSCEA is not asking for propaganda. NSCEA is asking for proof,” the statement concluded.
The organization urged the Federal Government to publish spending details, identify beneficiary facilities, and ensure security protections tied to the health agreement.
A Broader Question of Accountability
As of the time of publication, there has been no publicly released 2026 implementation report detailing the status of the reported MoU.
NSCEA maintains that transparency in international health agreements is essential not only for Christian communities but for national unity and public trust.
The Council concluded its statement with a reaffirmation of commitment to both Nigeria and its international partnerships, calling for openness, equity, and action in 2026.
