Abuja, Nigeria — In a bold move aimed at reviving Nigeria’s ailing education and healthcare sectors, the House of Representatives has introduced a new bill seeking to prohibit public and civil servants from patronizing private schools and healthcare services.

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 the floor of the House on Tuesday.

"Leadership Must Lead by Example" — Hon. Amobi Ogah

The sponsor of the bill, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, told journalists at the National Assembly that the initiative is designed to force reforms by compelling public officials to use the same services they oversee.

“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 in these public institutions,” Ogah stated.

He argued that Nigeria’s steady decline in public institutions has been worsened by the elite’s preference for foreign and private options, which drains national resources and leaves public services underfunded and neglected.

Shocking Figures: Education and Medical Tourism

Ogah backed his argument with statistics, revealing that under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, over $29.29 billion was spent on foreign medical care, while at least $218.87 million was spent on foreign education in 2023 alone.

By comparison, only ₦1.336 trillion was allocated to healthcare in Nigeria’s 2024 national budget — a figure he described as inadequate, especially considering Nigerians spend an estimated ₦1.6 trillion annually on medical treatment abroad.

Reviving National Institutions

Referencing Nigeria’s founding fathers — Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Sir Tafawa Balewa — Ogah noted they were all products of public schools, unlike many of today’s leaders who no longer trust the systems they supervise.

“If we have started the removal of petroleum subsidy, we must also enforce this bill to prohibit the patronising of private schools and healthcare services by public and civil servants,” Ogah said, calling for national sacrifice and shared responsibility.

A Call for Collective Support

Ogah emphasized that unless public officials experience the same conditions as everyday Nigerians, there will be no real incentive to fix public hospitals and schools.

“Our hospitals have become empty buildings, our schools are falling apart. This bill is a significant step to restore dignity, revive public confidence, and push for infrastructural development,” he added.

The lawmaker urged the media, civil society, and citizens to rally behind the bill, describing it as a crucial piece of legislation for national renewal.

Public Reactions Expected

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, observers expect mixed reactions, particularly from top officials accustomed to private and foreign services. However, the bill has already ignited public discourse around equity, accountability, and patriotism in leadership.