The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved several major infrastructure projects worth more than ₦540 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 this while briefing State House correspondents after Wednesday’s FEC meeting.
Pate said the National Hospital, which was established about 25 years ago, had not received the level of infrastructure and equipment investment required to achieve its original vision. He said the latest approvals followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment across the country.
The council approved ₦18.74 million for the refitting of the hospital’s administrative and management block, with the contract awarded to Visible Construction Limited.
FEC also approved ₦64.92 billion for the construction of modular clinics and a theatre complex, with Strabbing Construction Limited awarded the contract. The project will provide specialised clinics and theatre facilities for different medical specialties.
Another ₦103 billion contract was approved for the construction of a new wing at the National Hospital. The contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil Construction Limited, with a 24-month completion period.
The council further approved ₦69 billion for the construction of a Neuroscience Institute at the hospital. The project, also awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Limited, will provide specialised facilities for neurosurgery, radiology, interventional procedures and rehabilitation.
According to Pate, the neuroscience facility will help provide treatment for conditions including stroke, brain tumours and 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.
₦302.3bn Cancer Centre Approved
FEC also approved a ₦302.3 billion contract for the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and inauguration of a new National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) centre.
The contract was awarded to CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed within 36 months.
Pate said the project would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for cancer research, treatment, innovation and professional training.
The new NICRAT facility is expected to serve as a flagship national institution for cancer research and treatment. The minister noted that funding provisions for the project had already been included in the 2025 and 2026 national budgets.
He explained that the National Hospital and NICRAT projects are being funded through appropriations approved by the National Assembly for the relevant agencies and entities rather than directly through the Federal Ministry of Health.
Pate said the government’s objective was to ensure that the projects are completed and deliver significant improvements to specialised healthcare in Nigeria.
“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.
Source: Federal Executive Council / Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
