By Afolabi Lukman Olanrewaju
Built in 1948 during the era of the defunct Northern Nigeria, the General Hospital Offa holds historical significance. Its establishment coincided with the graduation of the Offa-born medical doctor, Late Dr. J.D. Soleye (1923-2020), from the Yaba School of Medicine, Lagos. Dr. Soleye, a trailblazer, was not only the second medical doctor from the region but also the second indigenous Permanent Secretary of the defunct Northern Nigeria, following Late Dr. Russel Adamu Barau Dikko. His achievements inspired generations of Offa parents to encourage their children to pursue careers in medicine. Among these early medical pioneers were Late Dr. Kolawole Adeniyi Olafimihan, who graduated in 1958 from the University of Ibadan, and others like Late Dr. Tiamiyu Adebayo Oyelola (later an Army Brigadier), Late Dr. Anthony Kolawole Afolabi, Late Dr. Salami Oyebanji Oyawoye, Late Dr. James Omojasola, Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran, Late Dr. P.O. Adeoye, and Late Dr. Shona from Ijagbo. Early nurses included Chief Mrs. Ayobola Akinwande (née Afolabi), a pioneer staff nurse at General Hospital Offa in 1948, alongside others such as Mr. E.A. Adegbite (later a High Court Judge), Chief J.A. Shogo, Alhaji S.K. Wuraola, and Alhaja Wulemot Bammeke. Early pharmacists such as Alhaji Abdulraheem Giwa and Samuel Olushola Opaleke further contributed to the hospital’s legacy.
Since its inception, the General Hospital Offa has been a hub for both expatriate and indigenous healthcare professionals, including notable names like Professor Shehu Umar and Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi. The Offa community continues to nurture a robust pool of healthcare experts across all specialties, with groups such as “Offa Doctors Forum,” “Offa Pharmacists,” and “Offa Nurses” providing free medical services and support to their community. This strong foundation of healthcare manpower ensures that the hospital is well-positioned to transition into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC). The community has also showcased its readiness for this upgrade through investments exceeding ₦500 million, which include contributions from Offa Metropolitan Club’s Medical Centre, Lion Club’s Diabetes Centre, Galaxy Clique’s Behavioural Centre, and the proposed Kidney Centre.
Across Nigeria, several state governments have successfully handed over state-owned hospitals to the Federal Ministry of Health for upgrades into Federal Medical Centres. Recent examples include the transfer of Epe General Hospital (Lagos), Ikole-Ekiti General Hospital (Ekiti), and Wase General Hospital (Plateau) in 2024. Currently, there are over 20 Federal Medical Centres in Nigeria, located in cities such as Abeokuta, Asaba, Azare, Birnin Kebbi, Lokoja, Owo, Yenagoa, and many others. Some of these FMCs like Yola,Ido-Ekiti,Gwagwalada and Abeokuta ,are being upgraded to Teaching Hospitals to serve the needs of neighbouring Federal universities to train health professionals FMC Several states now host more than one federal tertiary healthcare institutions. For example, Lagos State has FMCs in Ebute Metta and Epe, Ekiti State has FMCs in Ido-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, and Ado-Ekiti, while Adamawa State has FMCs in Yola, Mubi, and Hong. With the increasing establishment of federal health-specialized universities, such as the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, Ila-Orangun, Otukpo, Kwale,Tsafe and Uburu, the demand for teaching hospitals continues to grow. States like Bauchi and Jigawa have already upgraded state-owned hospitals into university teaching hospitals, setting an example for others to follow. Kwara State must act proactively to secure similar upgrades. Handing over General Hospital Offa for conversion into a Federal Medical Centre will ensure better healthcare services for residents while positioning the state for federal funding and resources.
When approved, the Federal Medical Centre Offa will provide tertiary healthcare and emergency services to the entire seven Local Government Areas of Kwara South, as well as Asa Local Government Area in Kwara Central. The recently completed 41-kilometer road linking Eiyenkorin to General Hospital Offa, facilitated by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration, underscores the strategic importance of this location.
Additionally, the hospital already serves as a training center for numerous healthcare institutions, including Nigerian Navy College of Health Sciences, Kwara State College of Health Technology, Best College of Health Technology (private), Pan-African College of Health and Management Sciences (private), and a proposed private School of Nursing. Despite these strides, more support is needed to elevate General Hospital Offa into a Federal Medical Centre to meet the growing healthcare demands of the region.
The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has already taken commendable steps by upgrading General Hospital Ilorin to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) and designating Sobi Specialist Hospital as a teaching hospital for Al-Hikmah University. Similarly, General Hospital Omu-Aran now serves as the teaching hospital for Thomas Adewumi University. It is imperative that the state government collaborates with the Federal Ministry of Health to formalize the handover of General Hospital Offa through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This would fast-track the approval process and secure a presidential assent, especially as the Federal Medical Centre Bill, sponsored by Distinguished Senator Yisa Oyelola Ashiru (Deputy Senate Leader), progresses through the National Assembly. The establishment of Federal Medical Centre Offa would not only strengthen healthcare delivery but also enhance the state’s capacity to train future medical professionals while reducing the burden on existing tertiary health institutions.
*Afolabi Lukman is a Public Affairs Analyst, and a Human Rights Activist. He can be reached at 07060898964.*
