By Deborah Nnamdi
The House of Representatives has passed for first reading a bill seeking to ban public and civil servants—and their immediate families—from using private schools and healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
Titled the “Private Institutions and Health Care Service Providers (Prohibition) Bill, 2025”, the legislation was sponsored by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State.
Speaking after the bill’s introduction on the House floor, Ogah described it as “a turning point in the history of our nation,” saying it aims to rebuild public confidence in government institutions and eliminate conflicts of interest in public service delivery.
“This Bill is designed to ensure that public and civil servants—and their families—depend solely on public schools and health facilities. The goal is to restore public trust, uphold standards, and promote accountability within our institutions,” Ogah said.
He cited Nigeria’s founding leaders—including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa—who all benefited from public or mission-run schools, contrasting that with today’s elites who prefer private and foreign institutions.
Ogah criticized the increasing reliance on private and foreign services by government officials, calling it detrimental to the country’s development. He pointed to budget allocations and spending trends to support his argument.
Despite allocating ₦1.336 trillion to healthcare in the 2024 budget, Ogah noted that Nigerians still spend over $1 billion annually on medical treatment abroad. Between January and March 2024 alone, $38.17 million was spent on foreign education, while the 2023 figure hit $218.87 million.
He also referenced the $29.29 billion spent on foreign healthcare under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, calling it a “shameful” reflection of elite neglect of local institutions.
“If we can remove fuel subsidies, then we must also stop public servants from abandoning our schools and hospitals for private alternatives,” Ogah stated.
He said the bill targets ending what he called “medical and educational tourism”, urging investment in local institutions to boost national pride and improve service delivery.
“It is unacceptable that top government officials frequently seek treatment abroad—even dying in foreign hospitals—while our facilities are left to decay,” he added.
Calling for public support, Ogah urged Nigerians and the media to rally behind the legislation using the hashtag: PromoteOurSchoolsAndHealthcareServices
PrivateInstitutionsAndHealthcareServicesProvidersProhibitionBill2025
