Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, Dean of the School of Dentistry, University of Benin, on Friday emerged the next Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH) becoming the first female CMD of the 52-year-old institution.
The appointment, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, takes effect from August 18, 2025, when the incumbent CMD, Professor Darlington Obaseki, appointed in 2017 would complete his two-term tenure.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the news of Pro. Ize-Iyamu’s appointment was conveyed to her in a letter signed by the Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
Part of the letter dated August 8, 2025, marked HMH/ABJ/471/3/22 reads:
“I am pleased to inform you that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has approved your appointment as Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin-City, Edo State for four (4) years in the first instance with effect from 18th August,2025.
“This appointment is on such terms and conditions as provided by the authority establishing the University Teaching Hospitals, or as may be specified by Government in the future.
“While congratulating you on your appointment, I urge you to consolidate and improve on the state of the Hospital towards realising the mandate of a Teaching Hospital.
“It is my expectation that you will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the hospital continues to deliver quality healthcare services to all.”
Prof. Ize-Iyamu, wife of a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and former governorship candidate in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is a highly distinguished academic, clinician, and administrator who will be bringing into the office an unbroken record of service within the UBTH spanning more than 27 years.
She attended Corona Nursery School, Apapa from 1971-1973, Corona Primary School, Apapa Lagos, from 1974-1978; Holy child College, Obalende, Lagos, 1979-1985; Queens College, Yaba Lagos, 1985-1986; College of Medicine, University of Lagos, 1986- 1992; and West African College of surgeons 1997- 2004.
Her profile released by Dr. Richard Edosa, a member Edo State House of Assembly, Oredo West Constituency said the incoming CMD joined the hospital in 1997 as a Junior Registrar and rose through the ranks to become an Honorary Consultant in 2005. For over 11 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 modernising 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.
