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UMTH Performs Second Kidney Transplant, 15 Years After First Landmark Surgery

By Achimi muktar 

MAIDUGURI — In what many are calling a medical miracle long overdue, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has successfully performed its second-ever kidney transplant, marking a triumphant return to complex surgeries 15 years after the first procedure.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, the hospital's Chief Medical Director (CMD), revealed that UMTH is back in the transplant game “with full force”—with plans already underway to operate on 20 more patients who are currently awaiting surgery.

“This is not the first time UMTH is doing the transplant. The first was in August 2010. Today, we're proud to say we’ve returned, stronger and more prepared,” Ahidjo stated.

A Giant Awakens: The Return of Transplants in Northern Nigeria

UMTH, one of the largest medical facilities in West Africa, is now home to four fully equipped theatres dedicated solely to kidney transplant procedures. According to Ahidjo, the hospital is determined to make kidney transplants affordable and accessible, slashing dialysis costs to just ₦12,000 per session—a fraction of the $1,000 price tag in private hospitals.

“We are not just performing surgeries; we’re saving futures,” he said, calling on well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropic organisations to support less privileged patients in need of transplants.

The Bigger Picture: Research and Root Causes

The breakthrough is more than just a medical milestone—it’s also part of a broader research initiative into the rising number of kidney-related diseases in Nigeria’s North-East. Thanks to a ₦50 million donation from Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the hospital is actively investigating the underlying causes of renal failure in the region.

Preliminary findings already point toward diabetes, hypertension, and chronic dehydration as key culprits. “We have collected numerous samples and are awaiting results from further laboratory analysis,” Ahidjo noted.

Building the Future of Health in the North-East

The CMD credited TETFUND for providing advanced equipment and infrastructure support, while also praising the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals who made the transplant possible.

With 85-bed capacity, modern theatres, and subsidized treatments, UMTH is positioning itself as a regional powerhouse for kidney care—and this latest transplant is just the beginning.

As Prof. Ahidjo put it, “Our goal is simple: make UMTH the go-to destination for affordable and world-class kidney transplants in West Africa.”

From long waits to second chances, UMTH’s transplant revival offers hope to thousands—and a second shot at life.