President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, hailing it as a symbol of African resilience, innovation, and a strategic step toward positioning Nigeria as a global healthcare destination.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu emphasized the project’s significance, saying it goes beyond infrastructure and represents Nigeria’s collective resolve to reject medical vulnerability.
“This is not just the unveiling of steel and concrete, but of our collective refusal to accept medical vulnerability as destiny,” he said.
$2.2 Billion Mobilized for Health Sector Transformation
Tinubu also disclosed that Nigeria has secured over $2.2 billion in health sector investments under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, launched in December 2023.
The initiative aims to:
- Renovate 17,000+ primary health centres
- Train 120,000 frontline health workers
- Double national health insurance coverage within three years
“These are not mere aspirations,” the President said. “These are measurable milestones already in motion.”
AMCE: A World-Class Facility for Africa
Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, London, the AMCE is poised to become a premier center for advanced medical treatment, research, and professional training.
Key features of the facility include:
- The largest stem cell lab in West Africa
- Plans for a teaching hospital, nursing school, and residential quarters for medical professionals
Tinubu commended Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah, saying his vision proves “what is possible when African institutions rise to meet African challenges with African solutions.”
Infrastructure Investment to Power Healthcare Delivery
President Tinubu stressed that medical advancement must be supported by strong infrastructure, pledging continued support through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
“A world-class hospital cannot function on a dirt road, and no MRI machine works without stable electricity,” he noted.
He added that partnerships with institutions such as King’s College London and the University of Wisconsin are laying the foundation for a new generation of African medical specialists empowered to serve the continent.
Finance Minister: Private Sector Raised $400 Million for AMCE
Speaking at the event, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed that the AMCE project was funded with over $400 million mobilized from the private sector.
He praised the facility as a timely and modern healthcare solution for Africa, capable of managing a broad spectrum of medical conditions.
Prof. Oramah: A Personal Mission to Improve Healthcare
In an emotional address, Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah shared how a personal health crisis at King’s College Hospital, London, inspired his vision to bring world-class healthcare to Africa.
“This center is a response to a deeply personal experience and a commitment to ensuring that Africans can access quality care without leaving the continent,” he said.
Oramah emphasized that the AMCE is not only a treatment facility but also a driver for long-term transformation in Africa’s health ecosystem.
With the launch of the AMCE and ongoing reforms, the Tinubu administration aims to reduce medical tourism, build domestic capacity, and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
