President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Idia Nibukun Ize-Iyamu as the Chief Medical Director of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo State, after months of fierce politicking amongst top contenders for the coveted position.
The Minister of Health, Professor Alli Pate conveyed the President’s decision to the Craniofacial Orthodontist who is the wife of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress Chieftain.
Her appointment takes effect from August 18, 2025, following the successful completion of the tenure of the outgoing CMD, Professor Darlington Obaseki, according to the Hospital source.
Part of the letter reads, “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”.
The highly resourceful and distinguished academic, clinician, and administrator, brings to the role an unbroken record of service within UBTH spanning more than 27 years.
Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, joined the hospital in 1997 as a Junior Registrar and rose through the ranks to become an Honorary Consultant in 2005.
The ppointee, served as Head of Department for over eleven years, 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.
She mentored and developed generations of doctors, many of whom have risen to become Consultants.
Professor Ize-Iyamu is a Commonwealth Fellow who honed her expertise at the Oxford University Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom.
With an unwavering determination, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH furthered her training at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA according to her abridged resume.
In addition, her international exposure and global professional networks position her to introduce cutting-edge innovations and best practices to UBTH.
She is credited with 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 the tertiary institution.
