Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Monday commissioned the ultramodern North West University Teaching Hospital, a groundbreaking medical facility founded by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko in Sokoto.
The hospital, the first of its kind in the North West geopolitical zone, follows the approval of the North West University by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in May this year.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with North West University to strengthen healthcare delivery across Sokoto State. He said the new teaching hospital would reduce dependence on the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for medical training and services, while also curbing medical tourism.
“This facility will serve as a beacon of hope for our people,” the governor said. “It will not only boost access to healthcare but also enhance opportunities for medical education and research.”
Governor Aliyu commended Senator Wamakko for his visionary leadership and contributions to the development of education and healthcare in Sokoto and beyond. “The legacy of these achievements will be cherished by generations to come,” he added.
He also urged the management and staff of the new hospital to uphold high professional standards and ensure efficient management of the state-of-the-art equipment installed at the facility.
The governor revealed that the state government recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UDUTH to facilitate clinical services and internship placements for medical students in Sokoto.
In his remarks, Senator Wamakko, founder and proprietor of North West University, praised Governor Aliyu for being a “silent achiever” whose leadership is transforming the state across multiple sectors.
He assured that the teaching hospital would cater to the needs of the average Nigerian and help reduce the number of patients travelling abroad for specialized procedures such as kidney transplants and other complex surgeries.
Wamakko also announced that the university would begin admitting medical students in the next academic session and plans to establish a postgraduate school soon.
Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza, Vice Chancellor of North West University, expressed gratitude to the Federal Executive Council for granting the university a full operational license. He also commended Senator Wamakko’s unwavering commitment to the project and revealed plans to establish collaborations with international universities in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
The event concluded with Governor Aliyu and Senator Wamakko inspecting various sections of the hospital, accompanied by the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Chairman, Dr. Lawal Bello.
The commissioning of the North West University Teaching Hospital marks a major milestone in the advancement of healthcare and medical education in Sokoto State and the North West region of Nigeria.
