The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into multiple petitions alleging prolonged financial irregularities involving the College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The institution was established in 2008 under the Federal Ministry of Health but has reportedly remained non-functional since 2010. Despite its inactivity, concerns have been raised over continued financial allocations and possible mismanagement spanning 16 years.
The allegations against the college range from unauthorised fund disbursement to possible systemic mismanagement by officials linked to both the Ministry and the College.
While declaring the hearing open, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas said that the allegations are not matters to be taken lightly.
He said that the Institutions designed to serve the public good must not become vessels for administrative opacity or financial recklessness.
“That is why we are here to speak on behalf of the people of Nigeria, and we must get to the root of this matter. As we proceed with today’s hearing, we hope that your presentations and testimonies will provide the clarity needed to support the Committee’s final report. That report will form the basis for the House’s next legislative steps, whether they involve institutional restructuring, sanctions, or reforms”.
“Today’s deliberation is anchored on the troubling state of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja, an institution riddled with pressing questions of governance, financial accountability, and institutional integrity. I want to commend the committee for organizing the public hearing and providing an opportunity for the public to provide necessary information that may guide the House in this investigation.
“This hearing is a direct response to a resolution of the House, to interrogate the reports of unauthorized disbursement of funds, the indefinite suspension of academic operations by the National Universities Commission, the long-standing dormancy of the College, and persistent non-compliance with the provisions of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Act, 2021,” Mr. Abbas said.
He urged all participants to approach the hearing with the seriousness it demands.
“We must bring to bear a sense of duty and candour that places national interest above all else. The goal here is not only to identify what went wrong, but to ensure that our oversight leads to the restoration of accountability in public service, “ he said.
In his Remarks the Chairman, House Committee on Specialty Healthcare Investigative Hearing on the Activities of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja, Mr. Alex Egbona, recalled that the House of Representatives on Wednesday 7th May, 2025 considered a Motion on the “Need to Investigate Activities of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja”.
Mr Egbon mandated the Committee on Specialty Healthcare to investigate the allegations of Unauthorised disbursement and application of funds, closure of academic activities of the College by the National Universities Commission (NUC), continued non-functionality of the College and non-compliance with provisions of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Act 2021.
He noted that House of Representatives is committed to providing the requisite legislative frameworks for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
“Therefore, the House under the leadership of the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas established this Committee to ensure effective legislative oversight in the health sector and to give maximum attention to specialised health institutions in the country including Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
“The Committee is aware that in year 2008 the Federal Government established the College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine as a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health, but the College was later closed in year 2010 following the shutdown of academic activities by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
” The Committee is further aware that several years after academic activities of the College were shut down and its Management suspended, the College has continued receiving annual budgetary provisions and allocations, expending capital and recurrent funds amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
“The Committee is in receipt of petitions on allegations of unauthorized disbursement of funds and financial impropriety by officials of the Ministry and Management of the College over the years, ” Mr. Alex Egbona said.
The Provost Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja, Dr. Aderemi Azeez, while answering questions gave clarification on some of the issues.
A representative of the National Universities Commission, said that the decision to shut down the school was based on it not meeting academic standards.