The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several infrastructure projects to upgrade the National Hospital in Abuja into a quaternary healthcare facility.
A quaternary healthcare center is an advanced specialist facility offering the highest level of complex medical care, with a strong focus on cutting-edge research, experimental medicine, and treatments for rare health conditions.
Briefing State House correspondents on Wednesday after the weekly FEC meeting, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate noted that the National Hospital, established approximately 25 years ago, has lacked the funding for facilities and equipment necessary to achieve its original vision.
According to Pate, President Bola Tinubu’s order to upgrade healthcare facilities and equipment across the country was followed by the most recent approvals.
He claimed that Visible Construction Limited was given the N18.74 million contract to renovate the hospital’s administration and management block.
The minister also said that the council also approved N64.92 billion for the construction of a theatre complex and modular clinics; Strabbing Construction Limited was given the contract.
According to Pate, the proposal would include theatres and speciality modular clinics for a range of medical specialities.
He claimed that CBC Global Civil Construction Limited was given a N103 billion contract to build a wing at the hospital, with a 24-month completion period.
He noted that CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited was awarded a N69 billion contract to construct a Neuroscience Institute at the hospital.
According to him, the facility will feature specialised infrastructure dedicated to neurosurgery, interventional procedures, advanced radiology, and comprehensive rehabilitation services.
He mentioned that the facility will treat disorders of the brain and nervous system, including stroke and brain tumors.
Cancer centre to be completed in three Years
According to him, CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract, which carries a 36-month execution timeline.
Pate stated that the project will enhance capacity across specialized professional training, medical innovation, cancer research, and patient treatment.
He added that funding for the new NICRAT facility had already been captured in the 2025 and 2026 national budgets, positioning it to serve as a leading national center for cancer research and oncology care.
Additionally, he pointed out that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are funded through legislative appropriations assigned to the relevant ministries and agencies, rather than being disbursed directly by the Federal Ministry of Health.
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