Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed that the state’s much-anticipated 400-bed Teaching Hospital along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road will be completed and fully operational by September 2025.
The multi-billion-naira health facility currently in advanced stages of construction has been positioned as a critical step toward reversing the state’s over-reliance on medical tourism, especially to countries like India and Egypt, and filling a critical health infrastructure gap in the insurgency-ravaged North-East.
“This Teaching Hospital will ensure a quality and affordable healthcare delivery system for our people. It will significantly reduce medical tourism,” Governor Zulum said during a Monday inspection visit. [Source: Premium Times]
Boosting Healthcare & Medical Education
Designed with 15 specialized departments, the hospital will serve not just as a treatment facility but also as a training hub for medical students from the state-owned Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri.
Once operational, it’s expected to generate over 1,000 skilled jobs in the health sector, absorbing graduates and reducing medical brain drain a growing concern in Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system.
Currently, the construction phase alone employs over 2,000 workers, according to the site engineer, Engr. Usman Tijjani.
“We are committed to staffing the hospital with well-trained professionals and equipping it with modern medical technologies,” the Governor assured.
5-Megawatt Solar Power for Uninterrupted Care
One unique feature of the project is the integration of a 5-megawatt solar power plant, which will guarantee 24/7 electricity to the hospital and surrounding infrastructure a significant innovation in a region plagued by power outages.
“With steady power and modern equipment, people will prefer to use this hospital rather than travel abroad for treatment,” Zulum added. [Source: Nairametrics]
The hospital will include state-of-the-art departments such as accident and emergency units, radiology, physiotherapy, operating theatres, and conference facilities all in line with global best practices.
Conference Centre and Urban Projects Also Underway
During the same tour, Governor Zulum visited the ongoing construction of the 4,000-capacity International Conference Centre, urging contractors to complete the project by Q1 2026. He noted that Borno State deserves world-class facilities capable of hosting high-level domestic and international events.
Also inspected were other urban infrastructure projects, including the Kogin Tifa drainage system (2.8km) and the Post Office flyover, marking the fourth overhead bridge built during Zulum’s tenure.
“This is part of a larger plan to modernize Maiduguri and improve infrastructure resilience,” the Governor said.
Why This Matters
Borno State, once the epicenter of Boko Haram’s insurgency, has struggled with poor health infrastructure, medical brain drain, and a broken referral system. This project marks a major step toward healing the healthcare system both literally and figuratively.
The hospital, analysts say, is also a strategic investment in medical education, job creation, and public confidence in local health systems. With rising inflation and the weakening naira, affordable healthcare closer to home could reduce financial strain for thousands of families in the state and beyond.
Bottom Line
Governor Zulum’s administration is positioning Borno as a model for post-conflict infrastructure recovery in Nigeria. If timelines are met, the Teaching Hospital and its accompanying solar infrastructure could become a national benchmark for regional healthcare reform.
