Tinubu appoints Prof. Murtala Ahmad as CMD UDUTH Sokoto
Tinubu appoints Prof. Murtala Ahmad as CMD UDUTH Sokoto
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Professor Murtala Muhammad Ahmad as the seventh substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.
The appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON.
According to the letter, the appointment is for an initial term of four years in the first instance, with effect from 20th October, 2026. He succeeds Professor Anas Ahmad Sabir, who successfully completed his two-term tenure in May this year.
While congratulating Prof. Murtala on the appointment, Prof. Pate reminded him of the heavy responsibilities of his new office and the yearnings of Nigerians for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system. He urged the new CMD to justify the confidence reposed in him by Mr. President by working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the Hospital continues to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
Marking a historic milestone for the institution, Professor Murtala becomes the second alumnus of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University to lead the second generation Teaching Hospital as the Chief Medical Director.
With over two decades of dedicated experience in Paediatrics and Child Health, Professor Murtala brings a robust blend of clinical expertise, university teaching, and hospital administration to his new role.
He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, followed by a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) in Paediatrics and a Professional Diploma in Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also holds specialized certifications in paediatric electroencephalography, health leadership, management, and public administration, from the University of Cape Town, University of Washington and the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) respectively.
He steadily climbed the academic ladder from Lecturer I to Senior Lecturer, Reader, and ultimately Professor of Paediatrics.
Before his elevation to the position of CMD, Professor Murtala built an impressive administrative track record within both the Usmanu Danfodiyo University and the Teaching Hospital. He previously served as the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Training) at UDUTH for four years where he brought impactful transformation to the administration of the residency and training programmes in the Hospital.
He held key institutional roles as Deputy Director of the Institute of Child Health and Faculty Examinations Officer in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, alongside representing the faculty on the University Senate. Furthermore, he served as Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Acting Chief Medical Director on multiple occasions during the absence of substantive office holders.
Beyond institutional management, Professor Murtala has been at the forefront of public health service and specialised medical research in Sokoto State and across Nigeria. His professional portfolio includes active involvement in maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response, and as a national trainer on the management of severe acute malnutrition.
As a prolific researcher, he has published widely in peer-reviewed scholarly journals focusing on child health, child neurology, epilepsy, and broader paediatric health concerns, while actively mentoring the next generation of medical professionals and postgraduate students.
