Rep. Ogah Proposes Bill To Ban Public Servants, Their Families From Patronizing Private Schools, Hospitals

A bold legislative proposal seeking to overhaul public service accountability and boost confidence in Nigeria’s education and health sectors has been introduced at the House of Representatives by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, the lawmaker representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The bill, titled “Private Institutions and Health Care Services (Prohibition) Bill, 2025,” seeks to prohibit public and civil servants — as well as their immediate family members — from patronizing private schools and healthcare services both within and outside the country.

According to the draft legislation, the ban applies to all categories of public servants, including elected officials, political appointees, and civil servants at the federal, state, and local government levels. The proposed law encompasses educational services from kindergarten to the university level, as well as medical services, ranging from diagnostics to surgery and treatment.

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Scope of the Prohibition

The bill states that public and civil servants, along with their spouses and biological children, will no longer be allowed to:

• Enroll in or send their wards to private educational institutions;

• Receive medical services from private hospitals or clinics;

• Seek private refresher or in-service education;

• Access foreign private institutions unless clearly exempted.

The law also proposes that any participation of private hospitals in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) must adhere strictly to outlined exemptions, failing which penalties will apply.

Enforcement Framework

To enforce the bill, the following institutions have been tasked with oversight responsibilities:

• The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) will verify and review declarations made by public servants every six months, and prosecute any violations.

• The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will develop implementation guidelines in partnership with the CCB.

• The Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies will be authorized to arrest, detain, and prosecute offenders.

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• Independent whistleblowers may report violations to appropriate authorities.

Penalties for Violations

The bill prescribes varying penalties depending on the offender’s position:

• Public Servants will face fines of ₦500,000 per offense, possible dismissal, and a minimum of three months in correctional custody.

• Civil Servants may be fined between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000, dismissed, or imprisoned for a minimum of two months.

• Private healthcare providers under NHIS who contravene the law risk fines up to ₦1 million per violation, license suspension or cancellation, and jail terms.

Conditions for Exemptions

The bill allows for exemptions under specific conditions, such as:

• When the course of study or medical service is unavailable in public institutions.

• When a family member had already been enrolled or receiving treatment abroad prior to the servant’s appointment or before the law’s commencement.

• When a waiver is issued by the Minister of Education or Health.

A 12-month grace period will be granted for full compliance upon presidential assent.

Promoting Public Trust and Accountability

In his accompanying explanatory note, Hon. Ogah emphasized the need to rebuild public trust and improve service delivery by compelling government officials to use the same facilities available to ordinary Nigerians.

“This bill seeks to eliminate the dual standards that have allowed public officials to neglect government-run institutions while relying on private alternatives. If they must fix the system, they must first use it,” he said.

The bill, if passed, is expected to generate robust debate within the National Assembly and among stakeholders across the education and health sectors.