President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Prof. Murtala Muhammad-Ahmad as the seventh substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by UDUTH Head of Public Affairs, Mansur Wadata.
Wadata said the appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
Muhammad-Ahmad succeeds Prof. Anas Ahmad-Sabir, who completed his two-term tenure in May.
Ali Pate urged the new CMD to justify the President’s confidence by working with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective healthcare delivery.
He also reminded Muhammad-Ahmad of the responsibilities of the office and Nigerians’ expectations for an efficient, responsive healthcare system.
Wadata described the appointment as a historic milestone, noting that Muhammad-Ahmad is the second alumnus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University to lead the teaching hospital.
He said the new CMD has more than two decades of experience in paediatrics and child health, combining clinical practice, academic teaching and hospital administration.
According to Wadata, Muhammad-Ahmad earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University and a Fellowship in Paediatrics from the West African College of Physicians.
He also holds specialised certifications and other academic qualifications, Wadata said.
Before his appointment, Muhammad-Ahmad served for four years as Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Training) at UDUTH.
“He also held several other positions, including Deputy Director of the Institute of Child Health and Faculty Examinations Officer in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences.
“He has also served as Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Acting CMD on several occasions.
“Beyond hospital administration, he has been involved in maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response, as well as serving as a national trainer on the management of severe acute malnutrition,” Wadata said.
Wadata added that Muhammad-Ahmad had published research in peer-reviewed journals on child health, child neurology, epilepsy and other paediatric health issues. He also remains actively involved in mentoring medical professionals and postgraduate students.
The appointment takes effect from Oct. 20 for an initial four-year term.
