By Paul Effiong, Abuja
In a bold legislative move aimed at restoring faith in public institutions, Amobi Ogah has called for the speedy passage of a bill seeking to prohibit public and civil servants from patronising private schools and healthcare facilities.
Speaking yesterday during a press briefing at the National Assembly, Abuja, Ogah described the bill as very timely.
The Bill is entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Patronizing Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487).”
He expressed hope that his bill when finally passed and assented to by the president, will revive Nigeria’s ailing education and health sectors.
According to him, the over independence of Nigerian elites on private institutions has contributed significantly to the collapse of public services, leading to massive capital flight and a decline in the quality of governance.
“Our founding fathers Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, all were products of public schools,” he said.
He maintained that in Nigeria today public officials no longer trust the institutions they are paid to maintain even as he lamented that this erosion of confidence has led to a dangerous trend of medical and educational tourism.
Hon. Ogah used the opportunity to highlight the gross disparity between government spending and actual service delivery in the country.
He noted that Nigeria allocated N1.336 trillion to health in the 2024 budget, Nigerians still spend over N1.6 trillion annually on medical treatments abroad.
“Between 2015 and 2023, the country lost over $29 billion to foreign medical bills, while foreign education drained another $218 million in 2023 alone,” the lawmaker said.
He also emphasised that the new legislation, if passed, would mandate all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, to utilise only government-run schools and hospitals.
Ogah argued that the Bill when pass will not only eliminate the conflict of interest but also drive needed investment and reforms in these public institutions.
He called on the media and Nigerian citizens to rally support for the bill, urging a national shift in mindset.
