THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF Prof. IZE-IYAMU’S ADMINISTRATION AS CMD, UBTH — A NEW DAWN OF EXCELLENCE
The appointment of *Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu as Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)* ushered in a new chapter of visionary leadership, efficiency, and renewed hope for staff, patients, and the entire UBTH community. The first 100 days of her administration have been remarkably transformative — marked by intentional reforms, strategic policies, compassionate leadership, and an unwavering commitment to repositioning UBTH as a centre of excellence in healthcare, research, training, and innovation.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu stepped into office with clarity of purpose and a well-defined roadmap anchored on accessibility, quality service delivery, infrastructural renaissance, workforce motivation, digital strengthening, and community partnership. Her administration has not only taken off with speed but with measurable impact across units, departments, and service areas.
From the onset, she demonstrated that leadership is not merely about occupying an office — but about *presence, engagement, collaboration, accountability, and visible results.* Her open-door policy, routine departmental visits, engagement with clinical and non-clinical staff, and real-time assessment of patient-flow challenges have improved communication and trust across all cadres.
One of the most commendable dimensions of her leadership is the *strategic reformation of UBTH’s corporate partnerships,* anchored on transparency, mutual benefit, and long-term institutional development. Her administration has facilitated new avenues for private collaboration, improved public-sector linkages, and strengthened industry-academic relationships to enhance training, infrastructure development, medical research, and revenue generation.
In addition to this, *fresh appointments and restructuring across critical management positions* reflect her belief in capacity building, merit-based placement, and performance-driven leadership. These appointments were not only timely but strengthened institutional efficiency — ensuring that every arm of the hospital is led by competent hands aligned with the vision of growth.
*Her administration has shown total support to staff initiatives,* resident training programmes, clinical skill upgrades, and nursing/midwifery expansion. This support is not passive but actionable — seen in the encouragement for CPD development, research interest, multidisciplinary collaboration, and staff welfare prioritization.
*NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN 100 DAYS*
- Improved coordination of patient care, reducing delays in admissions and reviews.
• Strengthened clinical governance and improved adherence to standard protocols.
•Ongoing digital transformation of hospital documentation.
• Increased visibility of UBTH as a competitive centre for specialist care in Nigeria.
•Enhanced maintenance of critical facilities, equipment, and utilities.
•Promotion of academic excellence through seminars, research engagements, and training support.
•Reassurance of a workplace environment grounded in fairness, dignity, and mutual respect.
•Ongoing staff employment drive to boost the hospital's manpower and service capacity.
• Ongoing purchase of advanced equipment, renovation of facilities, and infrastructural expansion.
Prof. Ize-Iyamu’s first 100 days as CMD represent not just a beginning, *but a defining turning point.* Her vision is bold, progressive, people-oriented and achievable. With sustained momentum, the seeds she has planted in these first days will blossom into a UBTH that is stronger, more efficient, technologically advanced, research-driven, financially stable, and patient-centred.
The foundation has been laid *— and UBTH is rising.*
Written By:
ABURE, P. A.
Manager, Corporate Services and Partnership UBTH
