President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned the establishment of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide and the upgrading of existing tertiary institutions to enhance trauma, oncology, and infectious disease care. Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima made this known while commissioning the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Shettima emphasised the government’s dedication to revitalising Nigeria’s healthcare system through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which also includes bolstering emergency care infrastructure. “In a nation facing rising urbanisation, motorisation, and industrial risks, trauma care is no longer optional—it is essential,” he stated. He called for stronger private sector involvement, stressing that “government alone cannot shoulder this burden.”
Praising the trauma centre as a model of philanthropic impact, Shettima said, “This centre is more than a birthday gift; it is a gift to humanity. It is a lifeline—a sanctuary where the wounded can find healing, and where families in despair can find hope.” He also mentioned ongoing investments in a national health insurance scheme and a digital health information system to enhance diagnosis and service delivery.
The commissioning coincided with the 80th birthday of Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, donor of the trauma centre and former chairman of Sterling Bank Plc. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun hailed Adegunwa as “a philanthropist, entrepreneur and an astute businessman,” and applauded the donation as a “monumental facility established for the benefit of humanity.”
Reflecting on his philanthropic journey, Adegunwa said, “Right from my 56th birthday I made a promise to give back to my community.” He recalled his earlier contributions to the same hospital and expressed gratitude for seeing the facility now serving its community.
Dr Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the hospital’s board, revealed that although the project was initially budgeted at N800 million, Adegunwa spent over N2 billion. Oba Babatunde Adéwálé Àjàyí of Remoland urged for more federal presence, noting the absence of federal institutions in the area.
