In a significant move to boost healthcare access, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has officially signed into law a bill establishing a new specialist hospital in the state. The governor also announced a substantial financial commitment for the immediate upgrade of the facility.
Major Investment for Akwanga's New Tertiary Hospital
Governor Abdullahi Sule put pen to paper on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Government House in Lafia, enacting the law that creates the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Akwanga. During the signing ceremony, the governor revealed that a hefty sum of six billion naira (N6bn) has been earmarked for the immediate upgrade of the new hospital to meet the standards of a tertiary health institution.
Sule explained that the funding is part of resources received from the World Bank, which identified Nasarawa State for its ease of doing business. "We were able to have N17bn given to us. Out of this N17bn, we are keeping on site about N6bn to be given immediately to this DASH Akwanga so that it can be upgraded to the level of a tertiary healthcare facility, both in Lafia and in Keffi," the governor stated.
Equitable Distribution of Healthcare Drives Decision
The governor clarified that the decision to establish DASH in Akwanga was driven by a commitment to ensuring that each of the state's three senatorial zones has a top-tier health facility to address critical medical needs. This move became necessary after the original DASH in Lafia was donated to the Federal Government to serve as the teaching hospital for the Federal University of Lafia.
"This informed the decision of government to establish a similar tertiary health institution in Akwanga bearing the same name, considering that the hospital was named after the late Dr. Dalhatu Araf in order to immortalise him in view of his enormous contributions to healthcare development, not only in Nasarawa but also in Plateau State," Governor Sule added.
Appointments and Calls for Prudence
The event was also used to swear in the new State Auditor-General, Kefas Julius Bala, whose appointment was confirmed by the State House of Assembly. Governor Sule charged the new Auditor-General to ensure strict compliance with financial regulations and to help eschew corruption.
"As Auditor-General, you must ensure that government expenditures are strictly in line with the budgetary provisions. By doing so, we are eschewing corruption in all ramifications," the governor advised. He emphasized that his administration is committed to entrenching processes that ensure best practices in budgetary and financial management.
Furthermore, Governor Sule announced the appointment of Dr. Abene Esla Ezekiel as the pioneer Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the new DASH Akwanga. In a vote of thanks, the new Auditor-General pledged his total commitment to his new responsibilities.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, commended Governor Sule for his commitment to the equitable distribution of infrastructure and his passion for human capital development and quality healthcare provision across Nasarawa State.
