The House of Representatives has introduced a bill seeking to prohibit public and civil servants from patronising private schools and healthcare services, in a bid to revive confidence in Nigeria’s public institutions.

The legislative proposal which was introduced on Tuesday, is titled: “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)”

The sponsor of the bill, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, while briefing journalists at the National Assembly, said the proposed legislation seeks to compel government officials and their families to use 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 said.

Citing Nigeria’s founding fathers, the lawmaker noted that Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Tafawa Balewa were all products of public schools, unlike the present trend where public officials shun government institutions.

Ogah decried the level of capital flight associated with medical and educational tourism, revealing that Nigerians spent over $29.29 billion on foreign medical treatment during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while at least $218.87 million went into foreign education in 2023 alone.

“If we have started the removal of petroleum subsidies, we must also enforce this bill to prohibit the patronising of private schools and healthcare services by public and civil servants,” Ogah said.