The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, to explain questionable financial dealings linked to the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Abuja.
Although the college stopped academic activities in 2010 following a directive from the National Universities Commission (NUC), it has reportedly continued to receive large sums of money from the federal budget every year.
These funds, covering both capital and operational expenses, are said to amount to hundreds of millions of naira.
The House Committee on Speciality Healthcare, led by Alex Egbona, raised concerns during a recent investigation, noting that the college has remained inactive for over a decade but still benefits from government funding.
The committee also questioned why the college appears to be ignoring provisions in the 2021 Act that legally established and guided its operations.
Egbona added that the committee has received multiple complaints alleging misuse of funds and irregular payments involving officials from both the ministry and the college’s management.
As part of a broader effort by the 10th House to improve healthcare delivery, lawmakers are also examining the NUC’s decision to suspend the college’s academic activities and whether that decision was handled appropriately.
Given his role in supervising the college, the minister is now expected to appear before the committee to account for the ongoing disbursement of public funds to an institution that is not currently functioning.
