The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to revoke Nigeria’s recently announced health partnership with the United States, describing the agreement as discriminatory and skewed in favour of Christian healthcare institutions.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, faulted the $2.1 billion US-backed health pact, alleged that it prioritised Christian healthcare facilities while excluding Muslims from equal benefits.
According to the Islamic human rights group, the agreement violated the spirit of national unity and constitutional provisions on non-discrimination, particularly Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution. MURIC argued that public funds drawn from taxpayers of all faiths should not be used to support health infrastructure targeted at a single religious group.
Professor Akintola noted that Nigeria is reportedly contributing a larger share about $3 billion towards the overall $5.1 billion funding arrangement, a development he described as “unjustifiable” if the benefits are restricted to one faith-based sector.
“MURIC condemns this pact in strong terms. It is parochial, divisive and unacceptable in a multi-religious society like Nigeria,” the statement said, warned that such arrangements could deepen religious mistrust and fuel national disunity.
The group further expressed concern that the agreement could set a precedent for faith-based segregation in other sectors of national development, including infrastructure, education and public services.
As an alternative, MURIC urged the Federal Government to either revoke the agreement entirely or simultaneously establish a parallel healthcare project of equal scope and funding for Nigerian Muslims, to be implemented concurrently and developed on the same scale.
The organisation also accused the government of what it described as a pattern of preferential treatment towards Christian communities, citing appointments, institutional siting, and social interventions, particularly in parts of Northern and South-Western Nigeria.
Despite its strong criticism, MURIC appealed to Muslims across the country to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing its commitment to peaceful advocacy.
“We call for patience, civility and decorum. Our approach remains dialogue, not violence,” the group stated, assuring Muslim communities that it would continue to pursue legal, political and parliamentary channels to address the issue.
