In a strategic push to transform Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide. The plan also includes upgrading selected tertiary health institutions to specialize in trauma care, oncology, and infectious disease control, as part of a broader Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, revealed this major development during the inauguration of the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State, on Saturday.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Shettima reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to close longstanding gaps in Nigeria’s health infrastructure. He urged the private sector to take an active role in advancing healthcare services, emphasizing that sustainable progress requires shared responsibility. “The government cannot bear this burden alone,” he noted.
Speaking on the newly commissioned trauma centre, the Vice President described the facility as a crucial pillar of Nigeria’s emergency medical response, especially in the face of increasing risks brought on by urbanisation and industrial activity. He praised the project as a life-saving venture and a testament to the power of public-private partnerships.
The facility, built by the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Foundation and situated within the OOUTH, was described as a key component of the government’s health sector transformation agenda. Shettima noted that initiatives like this reflect the Tinubu administration’s broader vision, which also includes universal health coverage through an enhanced National Health Insurance Scheme and the deployment of digital health systems to improve diagnosis and data management.
Marking the 80th birthday of Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, the project’s donor and former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, the event attracted several dignitaries, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. Governor Abiodun commended Adegunwa’s philanthropic legacy, describing him as a rare breed whose contributions to healthcare and education have spanned decades.
He recounted the transformation of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital under his administration, contrasting its previous state of disrepair with its growing reputation as a centre of medical excellence.
In an emotional speech, Adegunwa recalled his first engagement with the institution over four decades ago. He noted that his commitment to community development stems from his belief in giving back as an obligation rooted in faith and social responsibility. His previous donations to the hospital include the establishment of a modern audio centre in 1995.
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Dr. Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the Hospital’s Board of Management, emphasized the trauma centre’s potential to revolutionize emergency care delivery in the region. He assured that the facility would be optimally maintained and fully utilized to serve future generations.
By launching this trauma centre and announcing a national plan for thousands of new PHCs, the Tinubu administration signals a significant shift toward accessible, life-saving care across Nigeria. The dual milestones reflect a vision of healthcare that is inclusive, modern, and anchored in both policy and philanthropy.
