Umaru Shehu, distinguished physician, academic, and administrator, dies at 92
President Bola Tinubu spoke for millions of Nigerians in his tribute following the passage last week of Professor Umaru Shehu, at age 92. “Emeritus Professor Shehu was a giant, even among that legendary generation of pioneering indigenous professionals in our country, and the story of his life is saturated with many firsts, golden steps across the realms of medical practice, school administration, and humanitarian services,” the president said. “The renowned Professor of Medicine has always served Nigeria meritoriously and bestowed on all Nigerians a sense of pride with his indelible breakthroughs and innovative approaches to the administration of health and medical education around the world.”
While we join in extending our condolences to his family, the late Shehu was one of Nigeria’s most eminent practitioners in the field of medicine, university administration, public service and he made multi-faceted contributions in healthcare and statesmanship. That his record of medical and academic service to the country has few parallels in modern Nigeria explains why there has been an outpouring of grief following his death. Born in Maiduguri, Borno State on 8th December 1930, Shehu attended elementary and middle school in Maiduguri from 1935 to 1943, Kaduna College (later known as Barewa College) from 1944 to 1947 and University College, Ibadan, from 1948 to 1953. He obtained his medical degree from the University of London and studied at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom from 1953 to 1956 and later from 1966 to 1967.
The late Shehu started his medical career as Pre-Registration House Surgeon at Southport Infirmary in the UK in 1957, before returning home to work with the government of Northern Nigeria until 1968, as Chief Medical Officer. Intent on imparting knowledge to young people, Shehu transferred his services to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he eventually became Professor, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Director of the Institute of Health, and Deputy Vice Chancellor.
In 1978, the Shehu was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a challenging appointment that he took on and served with distinction until 1980. He later returned to University of Maiduguri where he served as Consultant Physician, Provost of the College of Medical Sciences and between 1993 and 1994, the interim Sole Administrator. Other eminent positions Shehu held include Chairman, Board of Management of University College Hospital, Ibadan; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Bayero University, Kano; and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, University of Lagos.
Professor Shehu was also at different times the President of Medical Schools in Africa; External Examiner in Public Health at the University of Ghana Medical School; chair of the boards of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and STOPAIDS. He was patron of Guild of Medical Directors, Nationwide Network for Health, Nigerian Medical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland and Nigerian Institute of Stress as well as being trustee members for the National Foundation on Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) and Nigerian Tuberculosis and Leprosy Association.
In the field of medical sciences, Umaru Shehu was a respected global figure. From 1970 until he died, he played advisory roles for the World Health Organisation (WHO) on several health issues. Even though he lived to a ripe old age, his passage will be felt both in our country and across the continent. But his life and record of service should inspire young Nigerians that politics and wealth are not the only fields where one can leave indelible impressions. May his soul rest in peace.
