As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure, the Federal Government has inaugurated 16 legacy projects at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Kware, Sokoto State. The projects are aimed at boosting the quality of mental health service delivery in Nigeria.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to transforming the health sector and improving the standard of living for all Nigerians.
Dr. Salako praised the leadership of the hospital’s Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Shehu Sale, for his impactful and innovative approach since assuming office. According to the Minister, Professor Sale’s tenure has been marked by a rapid and strategic upgrade of the hospital’s infrastructure, placing it on the path to becoming a world-class centre of excellence in mental healthcare.
“These projects are not just physical structures,” said Dr. Salako. “They represent renewed hope in our health system and are proof of leadership, vision, and commitment. This hospital is now a model of excellence in psychiatric care, not just in Sokoto or the Northwest but across the entire country. Professor Shehu Sale has set a benchmark others must aspire to.”
Among the commissioned projects are a state-of-the-art Molecular Laboratory, male and female ward complexes, a General Outpatient Department extension, a Forensic Ward, and a Biohazard Waste Incinerator.
In his remarks, Professor Shehu Sale, whose tenure as Medical Director has come to an end, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its sustained support. He emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in both human capital and infrastructure to drive meaningful improvements in mental healthcare.
“When we began this journey, the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kware was in dire need of modern facilities and public trust,” said Prof. Sale. “Today, we have not only built structures, we have restored dignity, improved access, and reasserted the critical role of mental health in national development.”
Highlighting his legacy, the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammadu Dan’ya, conferred upon Professor Sale the traditional title of Zaruman Kware, meaning Pillar of Kware. The title, he noted, is reserved for individuals who have made selfless contributions and uplifted the community through their service.
“Prof. Shehu Sale didn’t just build a hospital—he built hope,” Alhaji Dan’ya remarked. “His story is a testament to what visionary leadership can achieve. In the heart of Sokoto, a quiet revolution in mental healthcare has taken root, led by a man whose legacy will echo for generations.”