The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari Administration in 1983 to provide high quality healthcare to Nigerians, and it is forty years old this year. In the last forty years of the establishment of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), it has immensely impacted not only the North East Region but also extended its services to students and patients coming from the Francophone countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Interestingly, the hospital has been in the forefront in so many different areas, contributing relevant research and proving accessible services of high- quality standards.

Indoubtedly, the hospital has witnessed remarkable growth in physical infrastructure from 300 Bed capacity in 1983 to the current 1305 bed capacity, making it the largest hospital in the country that provides qualitative healthcare services to society. The professionalism of the hospital was recently hugely tested during the CoVID-19 pandemic and happily, UMTH passed the test and was officially designated as one of the few COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Centres in the country. In view of the foregoing, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital's Board of Management at its 6th meeting held on 19th May, 2023 approved the commemoration of the 40h Anniversary of the hospital, which is scheduled to hold on Sunday, 23rd July, 2023 and appointed a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the the distinguished Chairmanship of Professor Shehu Mustapha Liberty, Idriss Omar as Secretary and Professor Dili Dogo was also appointed as Adviser to the Committee. Considering the significant achievements in discharging its mandate as one of the leading Federal Government tertiary health institutions in Nigeria traversing the entire Chad Basin Area, the immediate past Board of Management considered and reflecting on the challenges facing the Hospital and the most critical issues we need to consider in charting the way forward. Consequently, a programme of activities and strategies has been mapped out to ensure the success of the forthcoming event as follows:

• On Friday, 14th July, 2023, a special Juma'at Prayer was offered at the Hospital's Central Mosque.
• On Sunday, 16h July, 2023, a special Sunday Service was also held at the Hospital's Chapel.
• On Monday, 17th July, 2023, there will be a one-hour Anniversary walk in the Hospital premises involving UMTH staff, to be led by CMD. As part of the celebration, the Hospital is organising a free medical and surgical outreach in Maiduguri.
• On Monday to Thursday, 18th to 20th July, 2023 there will be a medical outreach at Gwange, Kalari and surgical outreach in UMTH Trauma centre
• On Friday 21st July, 2023 the Hospital is organising a Career Guidance at UMTH Auditorium and conference centre
• On Saturday 22nd July, 2023 the Hospital is organising a Public lecture at UMTH Auditorium and conference centre
• On Sunday 23rd July, 2023 the opening ceremony, commissioning and foundation laying of Legacy Projects by the Special Guest of Honour, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, at the UMTH Auditorium and conference centre