Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, has commissioned the North-West University Teaching Hospital founded by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. The Governor described the project as “a golden legacy that will forever be remembered and cherished by the people of the state.”
Speaking during the inauguration in Sokoto, Governor Aliyu said the establishment of the teaching hospital marks a significant milestone in ensuring that medical students acquire the practical knowledge required to become competent and professional medical doctors. He noted that the new facility will boost healthcare services and strengthen medical education in the state.
“This hospital will serve as a centre of excellence for clinical care, medical education, and research. It is designed to provide world-class services, equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities that will cater to both local and regional health needs,” he said.
The Governor urged the management and staff of the institution to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and compassion in the service of humanity. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high medical standards that align with global healthcare practices.
Highlighting his administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance the health sector, Dr Aliyu revealed that the state government had secured approval from the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) to commence an internship training programme for all Radiography graduates. He explained that with this approval, all Radiography graduates sponsored by the state would now undergo their mandatory one-year internship at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.
The Governor further outlined key achievements of his administration aimed at improving healthcare delivery at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. These include the provision of basic and essential medical equipment across hospitals, the training of indigenous doctors, and the automatic employment of 122 newly graduated doctors.
He also announced the automatic employment and deployment of 1,675 nurses and midwives across various health facilities in the state. Additionally, the government has enacted a compulsory two-year rural posting for all health professionals sponsored by the state to ensure the availability of quality healthcare services in rural communities.
Governor Aliyu stressed that providing accessible and quality healthcare remains one of the major pillars of his 9-point Smart Innovative Agenda. He noted that the health sector received the second-largest allocation in the 2025 state budget.
“I want to use this medium to assure the good people of Sokoto State of our firm commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services for all, irrespective of where they live,” the Governor added.
In his remarks, the founder of North-West University, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, said the establishment of the teaching hospital marks a new chapter in healthcare delivery, medical education, and research in Sokoto, the North-West region, and Nigeria as a whole.
He explained that the hospital was established to complement the university’s plan to introduce medical and health-related programmes such as MBBS, Nursing, Radiography, and other allied health sciences that require practical training. According to him, the hospital will offer tertiary healthcare services and provide specialized, patient-centred, and accessible medical care.
Wamakko noted that the facility is equipped with modern technologies, including advanced diagnostic imaging, state-of-the-art surgical suites, and intensive care units capable of managing complex medical conditions that previously required patients to travel long distances.
“Our aim is to bring world-class healthcare to the doorsteps of our people while providing a centre for research to address the unique health challenges of our region,” he stated.
Senator Wamakko commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his visionary leadership and the transformational achievements recorded within a short time in office.