Reps Raise Alarm Over Ghost Spending On Abuja College Closed 15 Yeara Ago

A committee of the House of Representatives has raised concerns over continued budgetary allocations to the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Abuja, despite the institution having been shut down since 2010.

Chairman of the House Committee on Speciality Healthcare, Alex Egbona, made the revelation on Tuesday during an investigative hearing in Abuja. He disclosed that although the college ceased academic operations 15 years ago, it has continued to receive funding amounting to “hundreds of millions” of naira.

“The committee is in receipt of petitions on allegations of unauthorised disbursement of funds and financial impropriety by ministry officials and management of the college over the years,” Egbona said.

“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.”

Established in 2008 under the Federal Ministry of Health, the college was shut down by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2010 for operating programmes without proper accreditation.

The committee invited Adekunle Salako, minister of state for health and social welfare, to explain the state of the college, including why funds have been consistently released despite the institution’s inactivity.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Deputy Majority Leader Ibrahim Halims, described the situation as alarming and unacceptable.

“It is alarming that despite its closure, the institution has consistently received annual allocations, both capital and recurrent,” Abbas said.

“The allegations range from unauthorised fund disbursement to possible systemic mismanagement by officials linked to both the ministry and the college.

“These are not matters to be taken lightly. Institutions designed to serve the public good must not become vessels for administrative opacity or financial recklessness.”

He urged the committee to recommend sanctions following the hearing.