Tinubu Commissions $300m Afreximbank AMCE Hospital In Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, June 5, commissioned a $300 million world-class health facility, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), in Abuja, built by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described the facility as a solution to growing medical tourism, which has resulted in capital flight and increased pressure on limited foreign exchange reserves.
He expressed appreciation for the concept and assured maximum support for the hospital’s operations, enabling it to serve as a hub for advanced treatment of non-communicable diseases.
He said, “AMCE is a promise for the continent. What we witness today is a statement that we are prepared to compete with the best medical facilities and services worldwide. The AMCE could not have come at a better time. It will benefit from the investments and reforms we have championed over the last two years and serves as a reminder that the ultimate measure of a functional nation is the synergy between government and private sector players to co-create solutions.
“The pace you set here shall serve as a template for those who seek excellence in service delivery, even beyond the health sector. I am proud that Nigeria now hosts the largest stem cell laboratory in West Africa, located within this Centre. With the planned Medical and Nursing School on this campus, and partners ranging from King’s College London to the University of Wisconsin, you are laying the foundation for a new generation of African medical specialists who will be empowered at home rather than exported.”
Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, reflected on the AMCE’s conceptualisation a decade ago, expressing satisfaction that the dream has been realised on a grand scale.
Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, said “AMCE is more than a hospital. It is a commitment and a promise that world-class, cutting-edge healthcare is no longer something we must leave Africa for. It is now right here—home-grown, African-dreamed, African-built, and soon, African-renowned.”
Deaver told journalists that the hospital starts with 170 beds, with plans to expand to 500 beds within five years, and is expected to create 3,000 jobs across medical and non-medical sectors, addressing health workforce brain drain and boosting employment opportunities.
He further stated that the hospital will specialise in comprehensive care across oncology, cardiology, and haematology, including general medical and surgical services and advanced diagnostic capabilities. “AMCE will offer residency and training programmes, clinical trials, and establish a Medical and Nursing School,” he said.
