House of Reps Introduces Bill to Ban Public Servants from Private Schools and Hospitals
A Bold Move to Restore Faith in Public Institutions
The House of Representatives has introduced a landmark bill aimed at banning public and civil servants from using private schools and healthcare facilities. The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Patronising Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487),” was formally presented on Tuesday at the National Assembly.
Why the Bill Was Introduced
Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, who sponsored the bill, told journalists that the objective is to compel public officials and their families to depend solely on government-run institutions. According to him, the overreliance on private and foreign services by Nigerian leaders has eroded the quality of public schools and hospitals.
“This bill intends to prohibit all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from patronising private schools and healthcare services in order to avoid conflict of interest, maintain public trust and ensure high uncompromised standards and integrity of these public institutions,” Ogah stated.
He emphasized that reforms must begin with leadership by example. “Leadership must show the way for the public to follow,” he said.
Nigeria’s Public Institutions in Decline
A Contrast with the Past
Ogah cited Nigeria’s founding fathers, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Sir Tafawa Balewa as products of Nigeria’s public school system. He lamented how current public officials now shun these institutions for expensive private and foreign alternatives.
The Cost of Medical and Educational Tourism
Billions Lost to Foreign Institutions
The lawmaker revealed staggering figures associated with capital flight due to education and medical tourism. According to him:
Over $29.29 billion was spent on foreign medical treatment during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
At least $218.87 million was spent on foreign education in 2023 alone.
In contrast, the Nigerian government allocated only ₦1.336 trillion to healthcare in the 2024 national budget—less than what Nigerians spend on treatment abroad annually.
Implications of the Proposed Bill
Ending Double Standards
Hon. Ogah said the bill is designed to reverse the decay in public infrastructure and stop the elite from bypassing systems they are responsible for fixing. “If we have started the removal of petroleum subsidy, we must also enforce this bill,” he noted.
A New Era of Accountability
The lawmaker said enforcing this policy would:
Encourage upgrades in public schools and hospitals
Reduce deaths of top officials seeking medical care abroad
Create a sense of shared national responsibility
Public Support and Media Backing Called For
Ogah urged Nigerians, especially media platforms, to back the bill and champion a “culture of national consciousness” aimed at revitalising public institutions.
“We must rebuild public confidence. Let our leaders use the same services as the people they serve,” he concluded.
