In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, has successfully performed its first kidney transplant.
The historic procedure took place at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
At the unveiling ceremony, Salisu Bakari, Director of Research and Development at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), commended UDUTH for its remarkable feat, naming it the best-performing institution among the 27 TETFund Centres of Excellence nationwide.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting UDUTH’s long-term sustainability and growth, with the vision of positioning it as a leading medical centre in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Bakari also pledged to facilitate knowledge-sharing by inviting directors from other medical centres across the country to learn from UDUTH’s model.
Additionally, he highlighted TETFund’s broader plans to enhance ICT infrastructure and internet accessibility in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Prof. Bashir Garba, hailed the medical team, led by Prof. Ismail Mungadi, for their dedication and expertise, which brought immense honour to the institution and the nation.
He assured that the university would work towards sustaining the kidney transplant programme for the benefit of Nigerians and urged the Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara State governments to support the construction of a dedicated kidney transplant facility.
The Chief Medical Director of UDUTH, Prof. Anas Sabir, also lauded the hospital’s staff, particularly the Urology and Nephrology Department, for their unwavering commitment.
He emphasized that UDUTH would continue investing in workforce capacity building, crediting the hospital’s success to its strong partnership with UDUS.
The event saw the governors of Sokoto and Kebbi States pledge their full backing for the centre.
Yunusa Ismail, Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, speaking on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, expressed pride in UDUTH’s success, noting that it would help curb medical tourism and provide affordable treatment for Nigerians.
He assured that the Kebbi government remained committed to supporting the centre’s accessibility to ordinary citizens.
Similarly, Dr. Umar Faruk, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, reaffirmed Sokoto’s dedication to ensuring UDUTH’s achievements are sustained.
He revealed that the governor’s “Nine-Point Smart Agenda” prioritizes healthcare, which is reflected in the state’s highest budgetary allocation to the health sector for 2025.
He also announced plans for a Memorandum of Understanding between Sokoto State and UDUTH to enhance healthcare services.
As a further show of commitment, Governor Aliyu announced a N10 million cash donation to the centre to bolster its operations.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Galadima Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, also praised UDUTH’s management for this landmark achievement.
He assured the hospital of the Sultanate Council’s continued support in its mission to advance medical excellence.
The successful kidney transplant at UDUTH represents a major leap forward for Nigerian healthcare, offering hope to kidney disease patients while reinforcing the potential of public medical institutions to deliver world-class treatment.