By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
The National Association of Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NAPHPN) has accused the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) of overreach, misuse of power, and intimidation, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore order between the two bodies.
At a press conference in Abeokuta, the association’s National Vice President, Akinwunmi Samuel, Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Adeogun Adedoyin, and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajibola Olarenwaju, detailed several allegations against EHCON, including:
Encroachment on Public Health Functions: They claimed EHCON is infringing on areas under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Curriculum Manipulation: EHCON, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), was accused of altering a proposed public health curriculum submitted by NAPHPN.
Intimidation and Interference: EHCON allegedly deployed law enforcement officers to intimidate public health professionals at NAPHPN’s head office and interfered with member institutions, including the alleged burning of the Katsina State College of Health Technology, Jega.
Financial Misconduct: The association accused EHCON of engaging in questionable financial dealings with school administrators and attempting to control licensing processes.
Student Misguidance: EHCON was criticized for issuing a circular on March 5, 2024, advocating for unions in public health and epidemiology, fields beyond its mandate.
Akinwunmi condemned EHCON’s actions as a “systematic attempt to subjugate our independence, undermine our authority, and disregard the rights of association of members.” He warned that EHCON’s actions blur accountability and distract from Nigeria’s pressing health challenges.
NAPHPN highlighted its legitimacy through its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2018 and collaborations with government agencies. The association also noted its sponsorship of the Public Health Council Bill, which passed all legislative readings in 2022. The bill seeks to give NAPHPN authority over public health practice and administration in Nigeria.
The association made several appeals to President Tinubu, including:
Granting presidential assent to the Public Health Council Bill for proper regulation of the profession.
Directing the NBTE to cease partnerships with EHCON on public health curricula.
Mandating the Civil Service Commission to establish a public health professional cadre.
Restricting EHCON to its core mandate under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Stopping EHCON’s alleged interference in institutions, which they claim disrupts learning environments and confuses students.
Akinwunmi emphasized the importance of collaboration between public health and environmental health professions but insisted they must operate within their distinct mandates. “EHCON’s continued encroachment undermines professionalism and distracts from Nigeria’s critical health priorities,” he stated.
