Appointment heralds new era of transformative healthcare in Edo State
In a decisive move reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare leadership, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Idia Nibukun Ize-Iyamu as the new Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). The appointment takes effect from August 18, 2025, following the completion of the tenure of outgoing CMD, Professor Darlington Obaseki.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu, an accomplished academic, clinician, and administrator, boasts over 27 years of unbroken service at UBTH. She joined the hospital in 1997 as a Junior Registrar, becoming an Honorary Consultant in 2005, and went on to serve for more than 11 years as Head of Department, where she earned a reputation for integrity, deep institutional knowledge, and results-driven leadership.
A Commonwealth Fellow and Craniofacial Orthodontist, Prof. Ize-Iyamu trained at the Oxford University Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom, and the University of Washington, Seattle, USA. Her global exposure and professional networks are expected to help introduce cutting-edge innovations and best practices to UBTH.
Currently the Dean of the School of Dentistry, University of Benin, she has been widely celebrated for her ability to attract public-private partnerships, mobilize resources, and improve infrastructure, staff welfare, and student training. She is also a prolific scholar with over 55 publications in reputable journals, contributing to evidence-based healthcare policy and research.
Her vision for UBTH prioritises patient-centred service delivery, uncompromising quality assurance, and strategic innovation. She plans to modernise facilities, expand specialist services, strengthen institutional accountability, and deploy technology-driven solutions to improve accessibility and efficiency.
In a statement, the Edo State Government expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the merit-based appointment and acknowledged the Minister of Health for ensuring a seamless transition. Special commendation was also given to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, whose reforms in the health sector have created an enabling environment for medical excellence in the state.
“With Prof. Ize-Iyamu at the helm, supported by Governor Okpebholo’s vision and the Federal Government’s backing, UBTH is poised to become a model teaching hospital in Nigeria, capable of meeting and surpassing international healthcare standards,” the statement read.
