BAUCHI, Nigeria — In a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has unveiled a state-of-the-art laboratory complex at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi. The project, valued at $500,000, was executed under the company’s flagship Hospital Support Programme (HSP).
The commissioning ceremony, held on Thursday, was attended by stakeholders from the health, academic, and corporate sectors. Speaking at the event, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila—represented by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall—emphasised the company’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the country.
“Although NLNG’s operations are rooted in the Niger Delta, our impact reaches far beyond. This facility is a testament to our mission to enhance lives through sustainable healthcare infrastructure nationwide,” Mshelbila stated.
The fully equipped laboratory was constructed following a comprehensive needs assessment conducted in collaboration with ATBUTH’s management. It is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic services and support critical medical care in the region, particularly in addressing public health challenges such as Lassa fever, antibiotic resistance, and cancer.
According to NLNG, the hospital support initiative—launched in July 2021—targets 12 federal university teaching hospitals across Nigeria, covering all six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative aims to modernise medical infrastructure, improve clinical outcomes, and support academic research in the health sector.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of ATBUTH, Dr. Yusuf Bara, expressed deep appreciation for NLNG’s intervention, describing it as a “transformational milestone” for the Northeast’s healthcare landscape.
“This laboratory is more than just a building—it is a symbol of renewed hope in our fight against infectious diseases and a catalyst for groundbreaking medical research and academic training,” Bara said.
He further appealed to NLNG and other corporate partners to consider extending their support to the hospital’s Community Medicine and Public Health Complex, which remains in need of funding and development.
The NLNG’s intervention comes at a time when healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria faces mounting pressure, and experts say such public-private partnerships are vital to bridging gaps in service delivery and medical innovation.