President Tinubu Appoints Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu as Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)

In a decisive move underscoring the administration’s commitment to world-class 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 successful completion of the tenure of the outgoing CMD, Professor Darlington Obaseki.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu, a highly distinguished academic, clinician, and administrator, brings to the role an unbroken record of service within UBTH spanning more than 27 years. She joined the hospital in 1997 as a Junior Registrar and rose through the ranks to become an Honorary Consultant in 2005. For over eleven years, she served as Head of Department, earning widespread respect for her integrity, deep institutional knowledge, and results driven leadership.
Beyond her administrative and clinical excellence, Prof. Ize-Iyamu is a renowned teacher and trainer who has mentored and developed generations of doctors, many of whom have risen to become consultants, while others are practicing successfully in leading medical institutions across the world.
A globally trained specialist, Prof. Ize-Iyamu is a Commonwealth Fellow and a Craniofacial Orthodontist who honed her expertise at the Oxford University Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom, and furthered her training at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA. Her international exposure and global professional networks position her to introduce cutting-edge innovations and best practices to UBTH.
In her current role as Dean of the School of Dentistry, University of Benin, she has been celebrated as one of the institution’s most effective Deans, attracting public-private partnerships, mobilizing resources, and significantly improving infrastructure, staff welfare, and student training. She is also a prolific scholar with over 55 publications in reputable local and international journals, contributing meaningfully to evidence-based health policy and research.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu’s appointment is expected to usher in a new era of transformative healthcare delivery at UBTH. Her vision places patients firmly at the centre of every decision, with a focus on people-first service delivery, uncompromising quality assurance, and strategic innovation. She is committed to modernizing facilities, expanding specialist services, strengthening institutional accountability, and motivating staff to achieve excellence in patient outcomes. Her leadership will prioritise technology-driven solutions, robust community outreach programmes, and dynamic partnerships, ensuring that quality medical services are accessible, efficient, and sustainable. With her unique combination of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and global exposure, she aims to position UBTH as a model teaching hospital in Nigeria, capable of meeting and surpassing international healthcare standards.
On behalf of the people of Edo State, we express our profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this well-considered appointment that reflects merit and an unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
We also acknowledge the Honourable Minister of Health for supporting this strategic appointment and ensuring a seamless leadership transition in UBTH. The synergy between federal policy direction and state-level commitment is steadily reinforcing Edo’s role as a leading hub for medical excellence in Nigeria.
Very importantly, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and commendation to the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, whose progressive leadership and steadfast dedication to the welfare of Edo people have consistently created an enabling environment for quality healthcare delivery. Governor Okpebholo’s drive to revitalise medical infrastructure, expand access to essential services, and nurture world-class human capital in this sector is in perfect alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda. His vision and purposeful governance continue to position Edo State as a front-runner in healthcare reform and innovation.
With Prof. Ize-Iyamu at the helm, guided by the visionary leadership of Governor Okpebholo and the strategic backing of the Federal Government, UBTH is poised to reach unprecedented heights as a centre of medical excellence, advanced training, and pioneering research for years to come.