Niger State government has declared state of emergency on the General Hospital Minna, built over five decades.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, who announced the decision during the weekly State Executive Council meeting, cited the urgent need for a total overhaul of the dilapidated facility.

According to a statement issued to newsmen in Minna by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, Bago emphasised that the hospital has deteriorated significantly and is no longer fit to serve the medical needs of the state’s growing population.

He said, “The hospital has been overstretched for decades,” adding that its current state poses a serious challenge to effective healthcare delivery in the capital and beyond.

The governor had earlier constituted a committee of special advisers and relevant stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the hospital and propose practical solutions. He stated that, following their recommendations, plans are underway to demolish the current structure and reconstruct new units and wards in phases.

He explained that during the period of reconstruction, essential departments and services will be temporarily relocated to select primary healthcare centres across the state to ensure continuity of care.

Bago, who had once paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital, revealed that the bench he sat on at the eye centre had been there since he was a child.

Bago added, ‘We have to be honest with ourselves. The General Hospital in Minna, in its current state, can no longer fulfil its purpose. It is overstretched, outdated, and unsafe. What we need now is a modern, functional, and efficient health facility that reflects our vision for a healthier Niger State.”

He further stated that the decision is part of a broader plan to revamp the entire healthcare sector in Niger State, ensuring that citizens have access to quality and dignified medical services.

“Our administration is committed to building systems that work. Health is a priority, and we are determined to ensure that people feel the impact of government through visible improvements in healthcare delivery,” he added.

Bago reassured the public that all necessary steps will be taken to minimise disruption during the transition period and to maintain access to essential services until the new facilities are completed.