On Tuesday April 29, 2025, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, emphasized his commitment to national development during the inauguration of a high-level technical committee tasked with actualising the transformation of the State House Medical Centre. Speaking at the event, Dr. Alausa highlighted that the formation of the committee was a special assignment directly from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at enhancing the nation’s healthcare delivery system through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
According to the Minister, the committee’s establishment was not intended to undermine the competence of public servants but to introduce strategic collaboration with the private sector for greater efficiency and improved service delivery. He noted that all committee members were carefully selected based on their track records and to represent various constituencies.
Dr. Alausa also lauded President Tinubu’s courageous reforms, particularly citing the removal of fuel subsidies, which has reportedly resulted in a 45% reduction in food prices and a stabilized exchange rate. He described the medical centre project as another testament to the administration’s commitment to making tough decisions that yield long-term benefits.
“The State House Medical Centre, once completed, will offer world-class services, create employment opportunities, and expand healthcare access for all. Time is critical in the health sector, and we cannot afford further delays,” the Minister stated.
He urged the public to ignore misinformation, especially from unreliable sources like Sahara Reporters, and called on the technical committee to work diligently and efficiently. He outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include implementation of frameworks, procurement process management, stakeholder engagement, evaluation, contract documentation, and setting clear timelines and deliverables.
Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, the Special Adviser to the President on Health and Chairperson of the Committee, applauded Dr. Alausa for his foresight and expressed confidence in the team’s capacity to deliver on the project.
List of Committee Members:
1. Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas – Chairperson & Special Adviser to the President on Health
2. Mr. Funmi Badmus – Special Adviser on Special Duties
3. Prof. Tunji Olaopa
4. Ibrahim Abdulkadir – Deputy Director, SGF Office
5. Obi Alio Chekeubechi – Legal Representative
6. Dr. David Atuwo, mni – Ministry of Education
7. Dr. Agbor Neji Ebuta – Permanent Secretary, State House
8. Dr. Adebowale Adedokun – Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
9. Mr. Akintunde Sawyer – Director-General, NELFund reps by
Olusegun Akiinyelure
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ensure timely and impactful implementation of the project, seen as a key part of Tinubu’s broader health sector reform agenda.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
