In a bold and potentially transformative move, the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for first reading a bill designed to prohibit public and civil servants, along with their immediate family members, from patronizing private schools and healthcare services across Nigeria.

This proposed legislation, titled “Private Institutions and Health Care Service Providers (Prohibition) Bill, 2025”, was introduced by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, who represents the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State. The bill’s primary aim, according to Ogah, is to rebuild trust in public institutions, restore national pride, and eliminate the long-standing conflict of interest that often accompanies the delivery of social services by public officials.

Speaking during a press briefing shortly after the bill’s first reading, Hon. Ogah described the initiative as a historical moment—“a turning point in the history of our nation”—and a long-overdue step toward national integrity and accountability.

“This Bill intends to prohibit all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from patronizing private schools and healthcare services,” Ogah explained. “The goal is to avoid conflicts of interest, uphold public trust, and ensure that our public institutions maintain high standards and uncompromised integrity.”

A Return to Foundational Values

Ogah underscored his point by reflecting on Nigeria’s early leaders, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. These iconic figures, he noted, were products of mission schools and early public education systems—institutions that at the time offered quality, affordable, and accessible services to all Nigerians regardless of status.

“The current culture of public officials abandoning local institutions for private or foreign alternatives stands in sharp contrast to the practices of our founding fathers,” Ogah said. “Their legacy was built on public service and communal upliftment—not elitist detachment.”

Public Institutions in Crisis

Ogah did not mince words when describing the current state of Nigeria’s public healthcare and education sectors. He pointed to the visible and growing decay in public institutions, which he attributed directly to the preferences of the political elite and public servants for private solutions.

“Today, it has become a damaging trend for those entrusted with managing public resources to instead seek private schools and medical facilities—often abroad—for themselves and their families. This pattern is killing our public institutions,” he said.

According to him, the neglect of public infrastructure has created a two-tiered system—one where those in power escape the consequences of their policy failures while the average Nigerian suffers from poor services, dilapidated hospitals, and underfunded schools.

By the Numbers: Foreign Medical and Educational Tourism

Ogah reinforced his argument with statistics that painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s dependency on foreign services, despite substantial domestic budget allocations.

He revealed that in 2024 alone, the federal government allocated N1.336 trillion to the healthcare sector. Yet, paradoxically, Nigerians continue to spend over $1 billion annually seeking medical treatment abroad. Ogah further highlighted that under the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians expended an estimated $29.29 billion on overseas medical expenses.

The problem, however, extends beyond healthcare. The lawmaker noted that within just the first quarter of 2024—between January and March—Nigerians spent $38.17 million on foreign education. In 2023, that figure reached an alarming $218.87 million. According to Ogah, these patterns underscore a deep-rooted institutional failure and a betrayal of public trust.

“If this government has mustered the will to remove fuel subsidy, then it must also show courage in reforming how our public officials engage with public services,” Ogah declared. “We can no longer allow the stewards of our public institutions to undermine them through their personal choices.”

Restoring Confidence and Ending the Elite Escape Route

The bill, Ogah said, is aimed squarely at disrupting what he calls “medical and educational tourism” by public servants—a culture that allows officials to neglect the institutions they oversee while enjoying privileged access to private and foreign services.

“It does not reflect positively on our country that sitting Presidents and top government officials frequently travel abroad for medical care—and in some cases, die there,” he lamented. “Such behavior erodes confidence in our local institutions and signals to the public that they are not good enough.”

Ogah insisted that public officials must lead by example if Nigeria is to develop robust, reliable institutions. For him, the standard of healthcare and education in Nigeria will never rise until those in positions of power are personally invested in their quality.

A Call for Collective Support

As the bill moves through the legislative process, Ogah called on fellow lawmakers, the media, civil society organizations, and ordinary Nigerians to back the initiative. He believes this legislation will not only halt the decline of public institutions but also instill a sense of shared responsibility among leaders and citizens alike.

“This is not just a bill; it’s a national movement to reclaim our public institutions,” he said. “Let us begin this journey with a renewed consciousness, a national awakening that puts Nigeria first.”

He also proposed launching a social campaign under the hashtag #PromoteOurSchoolsAndHealthcareServices to galvanize public awareness and build momentum behind the bill. The full campaign name is: #PrivateInstitutionsAndHealthcareServicesProvidersProhibitionBill2025.

Looking Ahead: Building a New Public Service Ethic

If passed into law, this bill could redefine the culture of governance in Nigeria. It would require public servants—from ministers and directors to state commissioners and local government officials—to utilize the same public hospitals and schools as the average citizen. This, proponents argue, would force much-needed reforms, increase funding, and drive accountability.

By aligning the interests of public servants with the well-being of public institutions, Ogah’s bill seeks to create a self-correcting governance mechanism. Rather than treating government services as facilities for the poor, it reframes them as shared national assets deserving of equal investment and attention from all Nigerians, regardless of social class or office.

“This is about fairness, equity, and progress,” Ogah concluded. “When public officials invest their time, trust, and families in our local systems, they will finally have the motivation to fix what’s broken.”

As Nigeria grapples with economic pressures, infrastructural decay, and widespread public distrust, the success of this bill could become a powerful signal that the country is ready to chart a new path—one that holds its leaders accountable and places collective interest above personal convenience.