The National Association of Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NAPHPN) has accused the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) of gross overreach, misuse of power, and intimidation, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore order between the two professional bodies.
Addressing a press conference held in Abeokuta, the National Vice president of the association, Akinwunmi Samuel, alongside the Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Adeogun Adedoyin, and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajibola Olarenwaju, highlighted a series of alleged infractions by EHCON, including encroaching on public health functions under the Federal Ministry of Health, manipulation of educational curricula, and the intimidation of public health practitioners and institutions.
The association’s leadership decried what it described as “a systematic attempt to subjugate our independence, undermine our authority, and disregard the right of association of members.”
A particularly alarming incident mentioned was the recent burning of a member institution, Katsina State College of Health Technology, Jega, allegedly linked to EHCON’s activities.
Akinwumi accused EHCON, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), of seizing and altering a proposed public health curriculum submitted by NAPHPN.
On Student Misguidance, he faulted EHCON for a circular, issued on March 5, 2024, calling for the establishment of unions for public health and epidemiology students—fields beyond its mandate.
On alleged Financial Inducements, he alleged that EHCON engaged in dubious financial dealings with school administrators and sought to control professional licensing processes.
He also accused EHCON of deploying law enforcement personnel to intimidate public health professionals at NAPHPN’s head office.
“These moves blur the lines of accountability and detract from addressing Nigeria’s complex health challenges,”he stated.
Providing evidence of its legitimacy, Akinwumi detailed the NAPHPN registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2018 and ongoing collaborations with government agencies.
He further cited its sponsored Public Health Council Bill, passed through all legislative readings in 2022, granting the body responsibility for advancing public health practice and administration in Nigeria.
The association however, appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to grant presidential assent to the Public Health Council Bill for adequate regulation of the profession.
He also begged the president to direct NBTE to discontinue partnerships with EHCON regarding the public health curriculum.
He further appealed to the president to mandate the Civil Service Commission to establish a public health professional cadre.
He urged the president to restrict EHCON to its core mandate under the Federal Ministry of Environment and stop encroachments into public health affairs.
He also urged EHCON to desist from its alleged interference in member institutions, which they claim has disrupted learning environments and created confusion among students.
He said “Public health and environmental health are both noble professions, but they must operate within their respective mandates.”
“EHCON’s continued encroachment undermines professionalism and distracts from Nigeria’s critical health priorities.”
The association emphasized the urgent need for reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s public health security and ensure clarity in the regulation of health professions.
Attempts to get the EHCON for reactions. Failed as the officials could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
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