Nigeria’s House of Representatives at Tuesday’s plenary passed for first reading a bill seeking to prohibit public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from patronising private schools and healthcare facilities in the country
The bill sponsored by Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, is titled “Private Institutions and Health Care Service Providers (Prohibition) Bill, 2025”
Ogah, while addressing the media at the National Assembly, described the proposed legislation as a turning point in the history of the country, stating that it aims to restore confidence in public institutions and eliminate conflict of interest in service delivery, maintain public trust, and ensure high, uncompromised standards and integrity by civil and public servants.
The lawmaker drew historical comparisons, referencing Nigeria’s founding fathers, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, who were all products of public and mission schools, lamenting the current trend of government officials, who rely on private and foreign services while public institutions deteriorate.
Citing some statistics, Ogah noted that despite allocating 1.336 trillion naira to healthcare in the 2024 budget, Nigerians spends over 1 billion dollars on foreign medical treatment each year, pointing out that under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari alone, Nigerians spent at least 29.29 billion dollars on foreign medical expenses
The lawmaker added that between January and March 2024, 38.17 million dollars was spent on foreign education, while in 2023, the figure increased to about 218.87 million dollars.
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According to Ogah, the continuous neglect of public institutions due to elite preference for private alternatives has left the institutions in a sordid state; a situation, he said does not speak well of the country with Presidents and notable government functionaries going abroad for medical treatment and even dying in the process
He argued that the proposed legislation will put an end to what he termed “medical and educational tourism” among public sector workers, adding that promoting local institutions would enhance national pride and institutional accountability,
He called on Nigerians and the media to support the bill.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
