The Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ Kaduna State Council has honoured the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna, Professor Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u, with an Award for Exemplary Public Service and Excellence, in recognition of her transformative leadership and far reaching contributions to public health and mental health service delivery in Nigeria.
The award was presented during the 2025 NUJ Annual Press Week held in Kaduna under the theme Media and the Kaduna State Peace Model Dialogue Security and Development in the North.
According to the NUJ, the award reflects Professor Armiya’u’s exceptional record of ethical leadership, institutional reform, service expansion and sustained public engagement that has repositioned the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna as a national reference centre for mental health care.
Since assuming office, Professor Armiya’u has led a comprehensive transformation of the hospital through a clearly articulated institutional vision aligned with federal health priorities and global mental health standards. Governance systems were strengthened through decentralised leadership structures, policy reforms, digital financial controls and a renewed culture of transparency, accountability and professionalism in public service.
Under her leadership, clinical services at FNPH Kaduna expanded significantly with the establishment of specialised units in Neurology, Cardiology, Geriatric Psychiatry, Addiction and Forensic Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy and Vocational Rehabilitation. Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic facilities including X ray, Ultrasound, Dialysis and upgraded EEG ECT and ECG suites were introduced, resulting in improved emergency response, reduced patient waiting times and enhanced quality of care through digital integration.
The hospital also recorded remarkable infrastructural growth, transforming its physical landscape. Long abandoned projects were completed while new facilities such as geriatric and male wards, wellness villas, perimeter fencing, solar power systems, electronic health records infrastructure and a modern sports arena were delivered. Environmental upgrades including solar street lighting, landscaping and improved water systems further enhanced the hospital environment. A multimedia production and historical exhibition centre was also established to support public education and institutional documentation.
Workforce development emerged as a major pillar of reform, with the hospital achieving a historic one hundred and thirty per cent increase in staff strength. This included expansion of residency training programmes, upgrading the School of Post Basic Psychiatric Nursing to a College of Nursing Sciences, recruitment of specialised professionals and improved staff welfare through training, wellness initiatives and structured leadership development.
Professor Armiya’u also prioritised research and academic excellence through the establishment of a functional research unit, a grants and collaboration office, an upgraded medical library and increased research output and publications. Strategic partnerships with universities and training institutions strengthened residency programmes and psychiatric nursing education across the country.
In the area of digital transformation, FNPH Kaduna deployed electronic health records, automated financial and administrative systems, enterprise content management platforms, telemedicine services and strengthened cybersecurity infrastructure, positioning the hospital for efficient and accountable service delivery.
Community engagement and public education were significantly expanded through sustained mental health advocacy, school outreach programmes and strategic collaborations with government agencies, development partners, security institutions and civil society organisations. Notably, the Catch Them Young initiative focused on adolescent and youth mental health awareness and early intervention.
Financial sustainability of the hospital improved markedly, with an eighty eight per cent growth in internally generated revenue driven by service expansion, prudent financial management and digital accountability systems.
Overall, the NUJ noted that Professor Armiya’u’s leadership has strengthened national and international partnerships across government, academia, development agencies, security institutions and the media, reinforcing the hospital’s growing national impact and its contribution to peace, security and development through improved mental health outcomes.
In her response, Professor Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u expressed appreciation to the NUJ Kaduna State Council for the honour, describing the award as a call to sustained excellence in public service. She dedicated the recognition to the management and staff of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Kaduna, acknowledging their commitment, teamwork and professionalism in delivering compassionate mental health care to the public.
The NUJ Annual Press Week remains a key platform for recognising individuals and institutions whose work exemplifies excellence in public service and contributes meaningfully to national development.
