By Adenike Lawal
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has declared a state of emergency on the General Hospital in Minna, Niger State, ordering its total reconstruction after decades of decay and overstretching.
The facility, built over 50 years ago, has become “outdated and unsafe,” the governor said, citing his own findings during an unannounced visit. “Nothing has changed since I was a child,” Bago remarked, describing the hospital’s current state as unacceptable.
A statement by Aisha Wakaso, his Special Adviser on Print Media, confirmed the directive following the State Executive Council (SEC), meeting held Tuesday in Minna.
The governor announced the formation of a special committee to assess the hospital’s infrastructure and submit a redevelopment plan.
He disclosed that phased demolition and rebuilding will follow, with core medical services temporarily relocated to nearby primary healthcare centres to ensure continuity of care.
“This is the start of our larger mission to reform healthcare in Niger State,” Bago said, promising a modern, functional, and dignified system.
He pledged to manage the transition effectively and deliver a facility that meets current medical standards.
