By Uriel Ihotu
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, inaugurated a high-level technical committee charged with the task of transforming the State House Medical Centre into a world-class facility. The committee’s formation is a direct mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and part of his broader reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system through strategic Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed his dedication to national development and praised President Tinubu’s bold economic and social reforms. He noted that the establishment of the committee does not question the capacity of public servants but rather seeks to leverage private sector expertise to ensure more efficient and effective service delivery.
“All members of the committee have been carefully selected based on their proven competence and diverse representation,” the Minister stated.
Dr. Alausa specifically commended President Tinubu for policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidies, which he said had led to a 45% drop in food prices and a more stable exchange rate—developments he described as long-term benefits of difficult but necessary reforms.
Describing the State House Medical Centre project as a flagship initiative under the health reform agenda, the Minister stressed the urgency of timely implementation. “The new facility will offer internationally competitive healthcare services, generate employment, and expand access to quality care. In health, time is of the essence—we cannot afford any delays,” he said.
He also urged the public to disregard misinformation, particularly from unverified media sources like Sahara Reporters, and called on the committee to maintain high standards of professionalism and transparency.
The committee’s terms of reference include:
- Implementation of project frameworks
- Oversight of the procurement process
- Stakeholder engagement
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Contract documentation
- Development of a clear timeline and measurable deliverables
Chairing the committee is Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, who commended Dr. Alausa for his leadership and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
Committee Members:
- Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas – Chairperson & Special Adviser to the President on Health
- Mr. Funmi Badmus – Special Adviser on Special Duties
- Prof. Tunji Olaopa
- Ibrahim Abdulkadir – Deputy Director, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- Obi Alio Chekeubechi – Legal Representative
- Dr. David Atuwo, mni – Representative, Federal Ministry of Education
- Dr. Agbor Neji Ebuta – Permanent Secretary, State House
- Dr. Adebowale Adedokun – Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
- Mr. Akintunde Sawyer – Director-General, NELFund (represented by Olusegun Akiinyelure)
The meeting ended with a shared resolve to execute the project effectively and position it as a key achievement of the Tinubu administration’s health sector reforms.
