Over Centuries, effective leadership and management is said to have contributed a lot in making incredible contributions to the overall survival and development of human existence. Good leaders have remain critical players in decision making, policy formulation and implementation in modern complex World, especially in the health sector. One of the critical stakeholders in the modern Nigeria health system is the recipient of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award and no other person than the current Chief Medical Director University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo. Prof. Ahidjo was born from a well disciplined background in Rumirgo the ancient Askira Uba Local Government area of Borno State. After obtaining his Secondary School Certificate from Waka Biu in 1986, he joined and completed his Bachelor of Surgery and Medicine (MBBS) in 1994 from the prestigious University of Maiduguri and successfully completed the Postgraduate Medical Education (Residency Training Programme) of both the National Fellow of Medical College of Radiologists (FMCR) and the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) in 2002, making him the only medical Doctor in his community. In his quest for knowledge, the scholar of distinction, Prof. Ahidjo proceeded to the Medical University of Vienna, Austria from 2007-2008 and Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in 2009 ,making him the 1st Interventional Radiologist not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of West African Sub-Region and also a Research Scholar with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda Maryland, United State of America. Furthermore, as a Scholar of international repute, he became the pioneer Interventional Radiologist in Nigeria and West Africa, who initiated image-guided minimally invasive medical treatment techniques in the North-East Sub-Region and Nigeria. He was Head of the Radiography Department at the University of Maiduguri, which facilitated the commencement of Radiography training in entire Northern Nigeria.

Prof. Ahidjo rose through the ranks from lecturer I in 1997 to Professor in 2011 and during this period, published more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers in reputable International Journals and books. This had enhance his global visibility as one of the Top Ten (10) scholars in Research Gate in his chosen field. There is a popular saying which says, when there is no mission, people perish, Prof. Ahidjo personality and character believes in doing the right things. At the peak of his academic career as Provost, College of Medical Sciences University of Maiduguri, he had successfully contributed immensely towards the establishment of a Collegiate System with the creation of four (4) new Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical and Allied Health Sciences. Obviously, wise people say appearances gives lasting impressions, but it is the personality that makes an impact. This Professional and sensational medical administrator has demonstrated passion and commitment towards reshaping quality healthcare service delivery and remarkable achievements since he assumed duty on 3rd September, 2018 as the 8th Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Notwithstanding, a good administrator has the capacity to translate mission into reality, and credit must be given to whom it is due. Thus, the culmination of many years of experience, commitment, hard work and professionalism are what makes every person successful. In his first tenure in office, Prof. Ahidjo has on the 19th November, 2022 successfully commissioned Five Landmark Projects namely, The 150 bed capacity Muhammadu Buhari Trauma Center with helipad born-out of the overstretched facilities at the Accident and Emergency Unit during the peak of insurgency, the Physical Rehabilitation Center in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for victims of bomb blast and gun shots who have lost there limbs as a result of over a decade of insurgency, the Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa General Out-patient Department housing retainership complex and NHIS, the Sen. Kashim Shettima 160 capacity School of Nursing Hostel to ease the accommodation challenges faced by students, the Burns Center built for the treatment of victims of burns and attacks, courtesy of North-East Development Communication and the 1000 seat Auditorium with mini conference Halls built and donated by the Borno State Government to improve efficiency of training, making the Hospital the largest in the Country.

A golden fish they say have no hiding place, that was why former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari did not hesitate to reappoint Prof. Ahidjo for another four years tenure. Shortly after his reappointment as the Chief Medical Director of the Institution , Prof. Ahidjo on 2nd March, 2023 commissioned some projects which he tagged as the Legacy Projects,these include:- Muktar Aliyu Betara Cancer Center with the state-of-the-art equipment, largest in the whole of West Africa, the 80 bed capacity Kidney Center Extension with four theatres and world class equipment to improve effectiveness in treatment of emerging renal diseases, the Six Units of 24 houses built and furnished by the Borno State Government. It did not just stopped there, Prof. Ahidjo on the 23rd of July, 2023, also commissioned the 150 bed capacity Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna Child and Adolescent Institute, a complete edifice, housing any thing relating to child. The Hadi Ukashatu Gumel Second 160 bed capacity School of Nursing Hostel, the Radiology and the Histopathology Extensions with a view to maintaining best medical practices in the Country. However, professionalism is not a label you give yourself, but a description you hope others will apply to you. An erudite scholar who has made an indelible print in the sands of time and role model to many people including his colleagues, superiors, subordinates and associates, his mentorship ability is part of what signals the kind of tolerance and inclusive leadership skills he possess. John K. Carmack once said “Tolerance is a fundamental character trait of great people, part of attitudes and practices of those we admire and respect, those without tolerance are diminished and poor”. Prof. Ahidjo has trained over 15 consultants, many MSc and PhD graduates in addition to so many undergraduates in the Medical Sciences. He attended many seminars, workshops, conferences and published numerous scientific papers both within and outside Nigeria. For his commitment to ensure accountability in public sector in 2021, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) ranked UMTH first among the corrupt free Hospitals in Nigeria. Prof. Ahidjo is a recipient of numerous professional awards of excellence including National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his outstanding contributions to healthcare system in the Country. Also recently, Prof. Ahidjo was turbaned as the First Zanna Mburshema of Borno, meaning Trustworthy by His Royal Highness, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, CFR for his continued commitment in serving humanity not only in North-East Nigeria, but the world. Prof. Ahidjo is a fellow of many professional bodies including the West African College of Surgeon and Fellow Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Medical Association of among others. He is happily married with children.