The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved healthcare infrastructure projects worth about N540 billion to upgrade the National Hospital, Abuja, and establish a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) centre.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed the approvals on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting.
According to the minister, the projects are part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, equipment and specialised medical services across Nigeria.
Pate said the National Hospital, which was established about 25 years ago, had not received the level of investment required to fulfil its original vision.
He said the latest approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure Nigerians have access to better specialised medical services.
The approved projects include the construction of modular clinics, a theatre complex, a new hospital wing and a Neuroscience Institute at the National Hospital, Abuja.
FEC also approved a major contract for the construction and establishment of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment centre.
Pate said the projects would significantly expand the capacity of the healthcare institutions and provide facilities for specialised treatment, research and professional training.
The council approved N64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The contract was awarded to Strabbing Construction Limited.
Pate said the project would provide specialised modular clinics and theatre facilities for various medical specialties.
The investment is expected to expand the hospital’s capacity to handle more complex procedures and improve access to specialised healthcare services.
FEC also approved N103 billion for the construction of a new wing at the National Hospital.
The contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil Construction Limited, with a completion period of 24 months.
The new wing is expected to increase the hospital’s available infrastructure and support the delivery of specialised medical services.
The minister said the investment forms part of the broader plan to transform the National Hospital into a quaternary healthcare institution capable of providing highly specialised services.
Another major component of the investment is the construction of a N69 billion Neuroscience Institute at the National Hospital.
The contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited.
According to Pate, the institute will provide specialised facilities for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation.
The facility is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the brain and nervous system.
These include stroke, brain tumours and other neurological diseases requiring specialised intervention.
The minister emphasised the importance of investment in healthcare infrastructure, saying quality healthcare requires significant financial commitment.
“Quality healthcare is not cheap. To have the healthcare system we need, Nigeria has to invest in it,” Pate said.
The Federal Executive Council also approved a N302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment centre.
Pate said the contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited.
The project has a completion period of 36 months.
According to the minister, the new centre will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.
He described the proposed facility as a flagship national institution that would help improve the country’s capacity to respond to cancer.
Pate also disclosed that funding for the project had already been provided for in the 2025 and 2026 budgets.
As part of the approvals, FEC also approved N18.74 million for the refitting of the National Hospital’s administrative and management block.
The contract was awarded to Visible Construction Limited.
The project is expected to support improvements to the hospital’s administrative infrastructure as the institution undergoes a wider transformation.
Pate clarified that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are being funded through appropriations approved by the National Assembly for the relevant agencies and entities.
He stressed that the projects are not being funded directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.
According to the minister, the government’s focus is to ensure that the approved projects are properly executed and that Nigerians can see tangible improvements in healthcare infrastructure.
“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.
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The latest approvals represent a major investment in Nigeria’s specialised healthcare infrastructure.
The proposed Neuroscience Institute is expected to improve access to advanced neurological care, while the new cancer research and treatment centre is expected to strengthen the country’s capacity for cancer diagnosis, treatment and research.
The National Hospital projects are also designed to expand the institution’s capacity and move it towards quaternary healthcare status.
With the projects expected to be implemented over periods ranging from 24 to 36 months, the Federal Government will now face the task of ensuring timely execution, effective project supervision and proper utilisation of the approved funds.
The investments come amid broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek highly specialised medical treatment abroad.
