By Babajide Fadoju
Our tour continued on Day II with a visit to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, a 320‑bed tertiary health facility located in Millennium City, Kaduna.
This hospital, originally conceived years ago was inherited by Governor Uba Sani from his predecessor, former Governor Namadi Sambo and Fmr Vice President, with foundational work dating back to 2009.
When Governor Uba Sani assumed office, the hospital’s civil works were about 60 percent complete, while essential medical equipment stood at barely 20 percent.
The new administration injected fresh momentum into the project. Thanks to increased monthly FAAC allocations made possible by President Bola Tinubu’s bold decision on fuel subsidy removal – which boosted revenues for Kaduna and all 36 states – the state government was able to fund completion work on this hospital alongside over 150 other roads and infrastructure projects across the state.
Today, the hospital is fully up and running. To date, it has served approximately 3,000 out‑patients and counting.
The primary objective of this facility is to reduce foreign medical tourism, both within Kaduna State and across Nigeria, by offering world‑class specialist care at home. The hospital boasts dedicated wings for women and children, a comprehensive oncology unit for cancer care, a fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and solar panels complemented by generator backup to ensure 24/7 power supply.
Phase II of the hospital’s development will focus on establishing a cancer treatment and nuclear medicine centre – an initiative already approved by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority .
This phase is set to be supported by the Federal Government, with President Tinubu having assured the state of federal collaboration and intervention to complete this critical component .
To ensure accessibility for all residents, the hospital operates within the NHIS framework and the Kaduna State Health Contributory Scheme, making quality healthcare affordable for ordinary citizens. The facility currently serves as a major referral centre for women, children, and cancer patients across the North‑West region, significantly reducing the need for expensive medical trips abroad.
