President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Murtala Muhammad Ahmad as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.
The appointment, which takes effect from October 20, 2026, is for an initial four-year term, making Ahmad the seventh substantive CMD of the federal tertiary healthcare institution.
The appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate.
Ahmad succeeds Anas Ahmad Sabir, whose two-term tenure ended in May 2026.
In the appointment letter, Pate congratulated the new CMD and urged him to demonstrate effective leadership, strengthen institutional collaboration and improve healthcare delivery in line with the Federal Government’s expectations.
He also reminded Ahmad of the responsibilities attached to the office and the need to respond to Nigerians’ growing demand for accessible, quality and efficient healthcare services.
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The new CMD’s appointment marks a significant milestone for UDUTH, as he becomes the second alumnus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University to head the institution.
Ahmad brings more than two decades of experience in paediatrics, child health, medical education, research and hospital administration to the position.
He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University before proceeding to earn a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians (FWACP) in Paediatrics.
He also holds a Professional Diploma in Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, alongside specialised certifications in paediatric electroencephalography, health leadership, management and public administration from institutions including the University of Cape Town, University of Washington and Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
He rose through the academic ranks from Lecturer I to Senior Lecturer, Reader and eventually Professor of Paediatrics.
Before his appointment, Ahmad served as Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Training) at UDUTH for four years, where he contributed to the administration and development of residency and medical training programmes.
He also served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Child Health, Faculty Examinations Officer in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, and faculty representative on the University Senate.
Additionally, he had served as Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Acting Chief Medical Director on different occasions.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Ahmad has contributed to public health initiatives and specialised medical research, particularly in maternal and child health.
His professional engagements include maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response, as well as serving as a national trainer on the management of severe acute malnutrition.
The new CMD has also published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on child health, child neurology, epilepsy, and other areas of paediatric medicine, while mentoring medical professionals and postgraduate students.
