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The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Dr. Bayo Onunuga, has publicly lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration for its transformative and human-centred approach to healthcare delivery in Benue State. The commendation was delivered on Friday, January 23, 2026, during a facility tour of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi, where Dr. Onunuga led a delegation of Nigerian media executives to assess the scope and impact of the ongoing health sector reforms.
Dr. Onunuga highlighted that while many state governments prioritise physical infrastructure such as roads and buildings, the Alia administration stands out for placing people at the heart of development. He specifically pointed to the establishment of the Therapeutic Centre and the sweeping upgrades at BSUTH as powerful demonstrations of this people-first philosophy, describing the interventions as directly benefiting citizens and revitalising the state’s healthcare system.
The delegation was received by the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande, together with senior management staff. The visitors toured several key departments, including the advanced radiology unit with its CT scan and fluoroscopy rooms, the ultrasound section, the VIP smart clinic, and the state-of-the-art Therapeutic Centre. They also observed the ongoing induction and orientation programme for newly recruited staff, which underscores the government’s determination to bolster manpower and elevate service quality across all hospital units.
Dr. Hwande provided context on the hospital’s remarkable turnaround. He revealed that prior to Governor Alia’s administration, BSUTH was on the brink of collapse due to obsolete equipment and inadequate infrastructure. Since the current government assumed office, more than N13 billion has been invested in modern medical equipment alone, in addition to substantial funding for infrastructure upgrades, staff recruitment, and welfare improvements.
He described the radiology department as one of the most advanced among Nigerian teaching hospitals, equipped with cutting-edge facilities that are rare in the country. Dr. Hwande further noted that BSUTH has become only the second teaching hospital nationwide to successfully operate a fully functional, state-of-the-art In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) service, significantly expanding access to specialised reproductive healthcare.
The visit and Dr. Onunuga’s glowing assessment reflect growing national recognition of the Alia administration’s healthcare agenda. By channeling resources into critical medical infrastructure, staff development, and innovative services, the Benue State Government is positioning BSUTH as a flagship institution capable of delivering world-class care to residents and reducing the need for medical tourism outside the state. The reforms are widely seen as a model of people-oriented governance that prioritises health and human dignity in the drive for sustainable development.
