The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth about N540 billion to transform the National Hospital, Abuja, into a quaternary healthcare institution and establish a new cancer research and treatment centre.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting.
Pate said the National Hospital, established about 25 years ago, had not received the level of investment in infrastructure and equipment required to fulfil its original vision.
He said the latest approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment across the country.
According to the minister, FEC approved N18.74 million for the refitting of the hospital’s administrative and management block, with the contract awarded to Visible Construction Limited.
The council also approved N64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex, with Strabbing Construction Limited awarded the contract.
Pate said the project would provide specialised modular clinics and theatre facilities for various medical specialties.
He added that FEC approved N103 billion for the construction of a new wing at the hospital, with the contract awarded to CBC Global Civil Construction Limited and a completion period of 24 months.
Another N69 billion was approved for the construction of a Neuroscience Institute at the National Hospital, with CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited handling the project.
Pate said the institute would provide specialised facilities for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation.
He added that the facility would support the treatment of conditions including stroke, brain tumours and other diseases affecting the brain and nervous system.
“Quality healthcare is not cheap. To have the healthcare system we need, Nigeria has to invest in it,” Pate said.
The minister also announced FEC’s approval of a N302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) centre.
He said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited, with a completion period of 36 months.
According to Pate, the facility will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.
He described the new NICRAT centre as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment, noting that funding had already been provided for the project in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
Pate clarified that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are being funded through appropriations by the National Assembly to the relevant agencies and entities, rather than directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.
“Our goal is to ensure that they are executed, and that Nigerians can be able to see a transformation of the National Hospital, as well as a befitting cancer centre here at NICRAT,” he said.
