The House of Representatives has launched a comprehensive investigation into the disbursement and management of funds allocated to the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), Abuja. This decision, made during plenary on Wednesday, comes in response to rising concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, prolonged closure, and administrative infractions plaguing the institution.
Sponsored by Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi and four other lawmakers, the motion adopted by the House seeks to unravel a trail of questionable activities dating back over a decade. Established in 2008 by the Federal Government as a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Health, FEDCAM was set up to train professionals in homoeopathic, naturopathic, acupuncture, osteopathy, and chiropractic medicine, with legal backing from the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M8, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
However, despite its statutory role and mandate to promote alternative medicine in Nigeria, the college has remained largely non-functional since October 2010. That year, the National Universities Commission (NUC) ordered the shutdown of FEDCAM’s academic activities for allegedly offering unapproved degree programs. Since then, concerns over transparency and misuse of public funds have intensified.
Speaking on the motion, Hon. Gbefwi expressed deep concern that despite its closure, the Federal Ministry of Health continued to disburse capital and overhead allocations to the college for over 13 years. “Hundreds of millions of naira have reportedly been spent with no academic activities to justify these expenditures,” he stated.
The lawmaker revealed that in 2011, the Federal Ministry of Health suspended the college’s management and installed an Interim Administrative Team. In 2016, another official was appointed as Acting Head of Administration, further muddying the governance structure. Allegations of unauthorized fund disbursements, illegal staff appointments, and the sidelining of legal provisions guiding the institution have since emerged.
“The House is alarmed by petitions and counter-petitions involving officials of the Ministry of Health and FEDCAM staff over financial impropriety, illegal suspensions, non-payment of staff entitlements, and employment irregularities,” Gbefwi noted.
Of particular concern is the reported appointment of a Sole Administrator to head the college, allegedly in breach of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Act, 2021. This Act had been passed by the National Assembly to reposition the college as a viable academic and professional institution in the alternative medicine sector.
Following overwhelming support from lawmakers, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas mandated the Committee on Speciality Healthcare to investigate:
- The continued disbursement of funds despite the college’s closure;
Allegations of financial mismanagement and administrative abuse;
The legality of the Sole Administrator’s appointment;
Reasons behind the sustained suspension of academic activities since 2010;
Non-compliance with the 2021 Act establishing the college.
This investigation could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s approach to traditional and alternative healthcare training, especially as global interest in integrative medicine continues to grow. The outcome of the probe is expected to influence future funding, staffing, and operational decisions at FEDCAM.
Stakeholders in the health sector, including practitioners of traditional medicine and educational policy experts, have welcomed the investigation. They believe it could restore public trust and offer an opportunity to revive the college, especially at a time when alternative medicine is gaining prominence in healthcare delivery worldwide.