The House of Representatives has launched a probe into allegations surrounding the mismanagement of funds and the prolonged closure of academic activities at the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by the National Universities Commission.
This decision was reached after lawmakers adopted a motion presented by Rep. Gbefwi Jonathan Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) alongside four co-sponsors during Wednesday’s plenary.
In his presentation, Gaza recalled that FEDCAM was established by the federal government as a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health, following recommendations from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
He also highlighted the federal government’s establishment of a Department of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine within the Ministry of Health in 2018. The department was tasked with incorporating alternative medical practices into Nigeria’s mainstream healthcare system.
Gaza acknowledged that the National Assembly enacted the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Establishment) Act in 2021, providing legal backing for FEDCAM as an institution dedicated to education and research in alternative medicine.
Despite this legal framework, Gaza expressed concern that FEDCAM has been shut since October 16, 2010, after the NUC halted its academic operations for allegedly offering degree programmes without proper accreditation or approvals.
“Disturbed that in 2011 the Federal Ministry of Health suspended the Management of the College and instituted an Interim Administrative Team to manage its affairs expending capital and overhead allocations amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for over 13 years and later in 2016 again appointed a staff of the College as Acting Head of Administration to ensure the day to day running of the college,” he said.
He further raised alarms about reports of unauthorized spending, staff petitions and counter-petitions to anti-graft agencies, and allegations of financial misconduct involving the College’s management and officials from the Health Ministry.
“Worried by the allegations of unauthorised disbursement of funds, petitions and counter petitions to the financial crimes and anti-corruption agencies by staff of the College over financial impropriety by officials of the Ministry of Health and Management Staff of the College,” he added.
He also decried the disregard for the provisions of the 2021 Act, especially the controversial appointment of a Sole Administrator in contravention of the law.
“Also worried by the flagrant non-compliance with the provisions of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Act, 2021 and appointment of a Sole Administrator in breach of an Act of the National Assembly,” Gaza stated.
Additionally, the lawmaker condemned reports of arbitrary staff suspensions, non-payment of entitlements, and unlawful recruitment under the Sole Administrator’s leadership.
“Further worried by the petitions and allegations of suspensions, non-payment of staff benefits and outright dismissal of some staff of the College by the Sole Administrator and employment of new staff without due process,” he continued.
Gaza concluded by emphasizing the urgency of investigating FEDCAM’s operations, the legality of its current administration, and overall adherence to the Act that governs it.
“Desirous of the need to investigate the activities of the College, appointment of a Sole Administrator and non-compliance with the provisions of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Establishment) Act 2021,” he said.