08/08/2025
Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu breaks glass scalpel
…..as Tinubu appoints first female UBTH CMD
By John Mayaki
When news swirled into town that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the appointment of Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), making her the first woman to ever hold the prestigious position since the hospital’s founding in 1973, I knew that a moment destined to be etched in the annals of Nigeria’s medical history was birthed.
The appointment of Prof. Ize-Iyamu is not just a routine administrative change; it is a historic breakthrough in a profession and an institution that, until now, had witnessed only male leadership at the very top.
UBTH as one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary health institutions, has had a string of eminent CMDs over the decades from the pioneering Prof. T. Bello-Osagie to the outgoing Prof. Darlington Obaseki. But none have been female until now.
And so, with the emergence of Prof. Ize-Iyamu, the hospital not only breaks a five-decade trend and gender not defining leadership but hardwork, excellence, competence, experience, and vision.
Now that it is time for a woman to lead UBTH from the all-male affair; brilliant men, no doubt, this is not a call for tokenism, but for fair recognition of talent, service, and merit. Within UBTH’s walls are dozens of highly qualified female consultants, professors, researchers, and administrators, many of whom have served this institution faithfully, broken academic grounds, led departments, pioneered programs, and saved lives. These women have earned the right to be considered for the hospital’s top job.
Around the world and even in Nigeria, women are leading major hospitals and healthcare systems. From Dr. Aisha Umar in Maiduguri to Prof. Rose Longe in Lagos, we are witnessing the power of inclusive leadership. Research consistently shows that diverse leadership teams make better decisions, improve institutional culture, and deliver more compassionate, people-centered care.
A female CMD at UBTH has sent out a strong and clear message that excellence knows no gender, and that our institutions are mature enough to recognize leadership wherever it is found. It would inspire the next generation of young female doctors, nurses, and scientists to aim higher. It would be a progressive statement, not just for UBTH, but for Edo State and Nigeria at large.
This appointment, if you ask me is not just about the best candidate, but also a signal that we are ready to embrace equity at every level and we must commend the president for this decision.
There is no doubt that she is a woman of many firsts, Prof. Ize-Iyamu is also not a stranger to leadership or trailblazing roles. A Professor of Orthodontics, consultant clinician, and academic mentor, she has served in several key roles at UBTH and the University of Benin, including as Head of the Department of Preventive Dentistry.
Her impressive career spans over two decades, with advanced training that includes a Commonwealth Medical Fellowship at Oxford University, focusing on Craniofacial Orthodontics, a field critical to reconstructive surgery and pediatric care.
In 2022, during her inaugural lecture, she raised national awareness about Nigeria’s dire shortage of orthodontists; less than 70 for a population of over 200 million which of course lend credence to her longstanding commitment to equitable healthcare and capacity development.
And so, this appointment has sparked wild jubilation from all and sundry and also received widespread applause across Nigeria’s medical community, gender advocacy groups, and Edo State at large. For many, it represents not just an administrative transition, but a triumph of inclusion and meritocracy.
For me, this is not just a win for women in medicine, but for every girl who dreams of leading in a world that often tells her to wait for her turn. For the first time, the person in charge of the hospital reflects the diverse team that makes it work. It also gives hope to others.
The personality we are talking about here has led beyond the walls of the clinic. Away from the wards and lecture halls, Prof. Ize-Iyamu is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), known for her work in youth mentorship and moral leadership. She balances her professional life with an active role in family and faith, and is married to Pastor Dr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a respected politician and legal practitioner.
Most importantly, this is certainly a new era for UBTH and so, as she assumes the reins of UBTH at a time of critical healthcare reforms in Nigeria, Prof. Ize-Iyamu is expected to bring a fresh vision, a compassionate leadership style, and a renewed focus on innovation, training, and equitable care.
The road ahead will not be without challenges ranging from infrastructure upgrades to staff welfare, funding gaps, and medical brain drain but her track record suggests she is more than capable.
This is a watershed moment not only for the hospital but for Nigerian healthcare as a whole. It is proof that the glass ceiling can be shattered not with noise, but with quiet competence, hardwork, and consistent excellence.
My prayer for her is that her story as CMD would be a reminder to institutions everywhere that when women lead, everyone rises.