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), effective August 18, 2025. This appointment follows the successful completion of the tenure of the outgoing CMD, Professor Darlington Obaseki.
Professor Ize-Iyamu is a highly distinguished academic, clinician, and administrator with over 27 years of service within UBTH. 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.
As a globally trained specialist, Professor 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. 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.
Professor 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 aims to position UBTH as a model teaching hospital in Nigeria, capable of meeting and surpassing international healthcare standards.
The Edo State Government has expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for this well-considered appointment, reflecting merit and an unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector. They also acknowledged the Honourable Minister of Health for supporting this strategic appointment and ensuring a seamless leadership transition in UBTH.
The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has consistently created an enabling environment for quality healthcare delivery. His progressive leadership and steadfast dedication to the welfare of Edo people have positioned Edo State as a front-runner in healthcare reform and innovation.