On Tuesday, July 12, the House of Representatives introduced a groundbreaking bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Using Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487)," aimed at barring public officials and civil servants, along with their immediate families, from patronizing private schools and healthcare facilities.
The legislation seeks to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s struggling public institutions by ensuring government employees rely on the same services available to ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a press conference in the National Assembly, the bill’s sponsor, Amobi Godwin Ogah, described the proposal as a critical step toward addressing the decline of public schools and hospitals.
“This bill intends to prohibit all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from patronizing private schools and healthcare services to avoid conflict of interest, maintain public trust, and ensure high, uncompromised standards and integrity of these public institutions,” Ogah stated.
He emphasized that the legislation aligns with broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s public sector, drawing a parallel to the recent removal of petroleum subsidies.
“If we have started the removal of petroleum subsidy, we must also enforce this bill to prohibit the patronizing of private schools and healthcare services by public and civil servants,” Ogah added.
The bill, still in its early stages, will undergo further deliberation and public hearings to refine its provisions before a final vote. If passed, it could mark a significant shift in how public servants engage with Nigeria’s education and healthcare systems, potentially driving investment and accountability in these sectors.
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