Significant progress has landed in Hadejia, Jigawa State. In a major event packed with high-ranking officials, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, officially opened two landmark projects: the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy and a state-of-the-art clinic and dialysis centre built in her honor.

During the ceremony, the First Lady described these projects as: “clear evidence of the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, expanding access to quality healthcare, and investing in the future of the young.”

This double-launch marks a massive step forward for the region, seamlessly blending advanced technology with essential community health services.

The new facilities in Jigawa State are not just standalone buildings; they are designed to work together to solve real-world problems. By linking a cutting-edge digital academy with a modern medical center, the government aims to create a continuous loop of innovation and practical care.

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy

Established with support from the President and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), this academy focuses on building skills for tomorrow. It features:

• A Fabrication Laboratory and Maker Space: Designed for prototyping advanced health devices, wearables, and prosthetics.

• An Innovation Lab: Complete with AI-driven tutoring systems to boost digital learning.

• A Startup Pitch Space: A dedicated area for young entrepreneurs and researchers to pitch new tech and research ideas.

• Community Spaces: An atrium, an auditorium, and a residential hostel to foster teamwork and digital upskilling.

The Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic

Built and fully equipped by the FutureMap Foundation and eHealth Africa, this facility addresses the immediate healthcare needs of underserved communities. Key highlights include:

• A Specialized Dialysis Centre: Set up specifically to tackle the high rates of chronic kidney disease in the region.

• Maternal Care Units: Equipped with advanced operating theatres and maternity rooms for safe delivery.

• Resilient Design: Every single ward is fitted with continuous piped oxygen for respiratory emergencies, and the entire facility runs on renewable energy to guarantee round-the-clock power.

The true magic lies in how these two centers collaborate. The academy’s fabrication lab will focus on developing prototypes of human body organs—specifically kidneys—to push research forward. This work will feed directly into the clinic’s medical efforts, helping doctors detect, prevent, and treat chronic kidney disease much earlier.

Expressing her appreciation to the NITDA Director-General, the First Lady noted: “We are grateful for these honours done to us. Thank you. These projects are clear evidence of the state and federal government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, expanding access to quality healthcare, and investing in education and the future of young people.”

She further emphasized that the academy highlights a deep focus on human growth, adding, “By investing in the education of our children today, we are securing a better tomorrow for them.”

In tandem with the infrastructure commissions, Senator Oluremi Tinubu introduced the North-West phase of the National Food Bank Programme. This initiative aims to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition directly, focusing heavily on vulnerable groups including children under six years old, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

The program brings together a powerful alliance of partners: the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Bank of Agriculture.

Speaking on the initiative, the First Lady called it “a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households in Nigeria.”

She expanded on its alignment with national goals, stating “this programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advancing food security, improving healthcare outcomes, and building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.”

The food bank initiative has moved quickly across the country:

• April 2, 2026: The National Community Food Trust Fund was launched and its Board of Trustees inaugurated in Abuja.

• April 27, 2026: The first regional launch took place in Borno State for the North-East Zone.

• Today: The second regional branch opens in Jigawa State for the North-West Zone.

The First Lady shared encouraging updates from the first rollout, noting that the Borno branch successfully enrolled 560 beneficiaries and reached 468 vulnerable individuals in less than two months. “This impressive achievement gives me confidence that Jigawa State will set even higher standards for others to follow,” she declared.

Given Jigawa’s immense farming potential, she noted it was the perfect strategic choice for the North-West zone and called for continuous, honest collaboration to keep the system transparent and efficient.

Welcoming the delegation, the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar A. Namadi, thanked the First Lady and guests for their presence, noting that it was “a strong demonstration of solidarity with families who need support and a reaffirmation of our shared duty to protect the vulnerable segment of our population.”

Governor Namadi called the food bank a vital, timely intervention that brings food closer to those who need it most while boosting local child nutrition. He pointed out that the program fulfills a fundamental governance duty, pointing to Section 16, Subsection 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which requires the government to provide “suitable and adequate food for all citizens.”

Jigawa State is already well-prepared to maximize this new partnership. The state has implemented its own successful food and nutrition policies. Governor Namadi shared impressive data from their ongoing local nutrition programs across 300 communities:

• In 2024: Over 240,000 children were screened for malnutrition.

• In 2025: That number grew to 382,000 children.

• The Impact: Thousands of children were successfully treated, moving from moderate acute malnutrition back to full health. Additionally, 600 local women were trained to make highly nutritious, locally sourced food formulas like Tom Brown.

Looking ahead, Governor Namadi promised that North-West governors would give the food bank maximum support, pledging to provide strong storage systems, distribution centers, and strict accountability.

“A nutritious meal for a pregnant woman can safeguard two lives, and nutritious food for a child can support learning and growth,” he said.

The commissioning event drew a powerful crowd of leaders showing regional solidarity. All seven governors from the North-West geopolitical zone attended alongside their spouses.

Other key dignitaries present included:

• Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure (Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory)

• Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad (Minister of State for Education)

• Dr. Muyi Aina (Director-General of the NPHCDA, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate)

• Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (Director-General of NITDA)

• Numerous senior government officials and traditional rulers.

With the federal government also recently setting up the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office, the dual opening of the tech academy and modern clinic in Hadejia offers a clear, scalable roadmap for how Nigeria can successfully combine data, innovation, and healthcare to serve its people.