President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday commissioned a modern Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, in a move aimed at strengthening reproductive healthcare and addressing infertility challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu described the facility as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive toward advanced medical innovation and improved reproductive health services.
He highlighted that one of the centre’s key features is the Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system, a rare and advanced technology in Nigeria. According to him, the system uses automated imaging and software to assess sperm concentration, motility and morphology within minutes, reducing errors associated with manual analysis.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Bara Jibrin, said the centre also includes an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) workstation, which allows specialists to directly inject a single sperm into an egg in cases of severe male infertility, improving fertilisation success rates.
He added that the facility also supports embryo screening for genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease, aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing inherited disorders.
“This centre represents hope, innovation, and our commitment to delivering world-class healthcare services to Nigerians,” he said.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, commended the federal government for establishing the facility, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in Bauchi State and across the country.
He said the centre is equipped with some of the most advanced reproductive health technologies available globally, many of which are being deployed in Nigeria for the first time at this scale.
“We sincerely commend the management of the hospital for this giant stride and visionary commitment. These innovations will greatly improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of the people,” he said, noting that the project aligns with Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed’s health sector priorities.
Director of the Centre, Prof. Sa’idu Kadas, said infertility is a growing public health concern, particularly in developing countries, where infections and other medical conditions contribute significantly.
He noted that hospital data shows a high proportion of gynaecological cases are infertility-related.
“From clinical experience, out of every ten patients in the gynaecology clinic, about six present with infertility concerns,” he said.
Prof. Kadas added that the centre offers renewed hope for couples struggling to conceive, stressing that access to treatment has significantly improved.
“Many families who had lost hope now have a real chance of achieving parenthood,” he said.
Biomedical Engineer Babangida Salihu described the facility’s equipment as world-class, noting that many of the technologies were previously only encountered in academic literature and training manuals.
“As engineers, we studied these technologies theoretically. Today, we are seeing them fully installed and operational here in ATBUTH,” he said.
Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, described the centre as a landmark achievement that will restore hope to thousands of families in Bauchi State, the North-East, and beyond.
He noted that before its establishment, many patients had to travel to Abuja or outside Nigeria for fertility treatment, incurring heavy financial and emotional costs.
“This is a welcome development for Bauchi State and the entire region. Many women are silently suffering from infertility, but today there is hope,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed urged that services be kept affordable, warning that high costs could limit access for ordinary families. He also stressed the importance of preventive maintenance to ensure sustainability of the facility.
He commended President Tinubu and the federal government for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure across tertiary institutions.
Chief medical director of ATBUTH, Prof. Yusuf Jibrin Bara, speaking on behalf of the management, expressed appreciation to the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and development partners for supporting the project.
He said infertility is not only a medical condition but also a psychological and social burden, in line with the World Health Organisation’s definition of health as complete physical, mental and social well-being.
He noted that many couples previously had to travel long distances, including outside Nigeria, for treatment, but the new centre will significantly reduce that burden.
Prof. Bara assured that maintenance and staff training were integrated into the project from inception, with biomedical engineers trained and connected directly with equipment manufacturers for technical support and spare parts.
He said the facility would be properly maintained and fully utilised to serve patients and strengthen reproductive healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
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