By Dianabasi Effiong
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has unveiled a breathtaking Medical City project to transform healthcare delivery, reduce medical tourism, and position the state as a leading destination for specialised healthcare services in Nigeria.
The unveiling ceremony attended by healthcare professionals, industry stakeholders, and development partners, showcased one of the most ambitious healthcare infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
Eno said at the unveiling that the Medical City was one of the most audacious investments undertaken by his administration.
Quoting from the Bible, Habakkuk 2:2, the governor said the vision was conceived for the benefit of the people of the state, Nigerians, and Africans seeking access to quality healthcare services.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment and providing support to sub-national governments through ongoing reforms.
He said that the Medical City aligned with the healthcare objectives of his administration’s ARISE Agenda as well as the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The governor said that the project occupied approximately 100 hectares of land, with various sections designated for different medical specialties and healthcare-related services.
According to him, the facility is designed to drastically reduce medical tourism by providing technologically advanced, patient-centred healthcare services comparable to global standards.
“This project is not just a construction project; it is an investment in the future health and prosperity of our people,” Eno said.
He added that the Medical City was expected to become financially self-sustaining in the long term while creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.
He said that the state employed 2,844 healthcare professionals since March 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare service delivery across Akwa Ibom.
He urged residents to use the state’s health insurance programmes, emphasising that universal health coverage remained critical to achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes.
According to the governor, Akwa Ibom will receive a brand-new Aircraft terminal in July, a development expected to complement the state’s growing profile as a destination for investment and specialised healthcare services.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who performed the unveiling ceremony, congratulated Gov. Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom for their vision and commitment to healthcare transformation.
He praised the governor’s passion for improving the well-being of citizens and described the Medical City as a demonstration of the healthcare reforms as championed by President Tinubu.
“You have shown remarkable vision, commitment and passion for your people. What we are witnessing here reflects the aspirations of the Federal Government’s healthcare reform agenda,” Pate said.
He assured the state government of the federal government’s commitment to supporting the successful completion and operation of the project.
He pledged to facilitate engagement with Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora willing to contribute their expertise toward the development of the Medical City and the country’s healthcare sector.
The Minister urged the state government to consider making health insurance mandatory to ensure wider coverage and improved access to healthcare services for residents.
He commended Gov. Eno’s leadership and prayed for continued strength and wisdom to deliver on the vision for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Providing an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel John and the Project Manager, Dr. Teinye Isokariari described the facility as more than a hospital and “a journey” toward healthcare excellence.
According to Isokariari, the Medical City will comprise a 10-storey complex housing 62 medical specialties and equipped with cutting-edge technology capable of delivering world-class healthcare services.
He said that no fewer than 100 indigenes of the state would be sent abroad for specialised training six months before the completion of the facility to enable them to operate the sophisticated equipment to be installed in the centre.
Isokarari further said that the structure was being supported by 356 foundation piles to ensure maximum stability and durability.
He assured stakeholders that the project would meet global standards.
The Secretary-General, Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS), Prof. Adamu Danladi Bojude, expressed delight over the project, describing it as a bold initiative that would significantly improve cancer treatment and healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
He assured the state government that cancer patients nationwide would benefit immensely from the facility upon completion.
Also speaking, the National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti, commended Gov. Eno’s remarkable investments in the health sector, adding that his achievements were a model for other governors across the country.
He also praised the governor for introducing retention allowances for healthcare workers, describing the initiative as a pioneering step toward addressing workforce challenges within the sector.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Henry Archibong, thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the state and contribute to the realisation of the landmark project.
He commended the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare and quality of life of the people of Akwa Ibom through impactful development initiatives.
The Medical City marks another milestone in Akwa Ibom’s healthcare development journey and reinforces the state’s ambition to become a regional hub for medical excellence, innovation, and specialized healthcare delivery.
