PROFESSOR UMARU SHEHU: A PIONEER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MEDICAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
Maiduguri, Nigeria –
Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, born on December 8, 1930, in Maiduguri, Borno State, is widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished medical scholars and public health advocates. With a career spanning over six decades, Prof. Shehu’s influence resonates across continents, institutions, and generations.
His early education in Maiduguri and at Kaduna College laid the foundation for an academic journey that took him to University College Ibadan and later to the University of Liverpool, where he earned his MBBS (London) and DPH (Liverpool), among several other qualifications, including FMCPH, FWACP, FAS, and FFCM.
Prof. Shehu began his medical career in the United Kingdom in 1957 as a House Surgeon before returning to Nigeria to serve in various medical capacities. Rising swiftly through the ranks, he held positions from Medical Officer to Chief Medical Officer of the former Northern Region.
In 1968, Prof. Shehu made a defining decision in his career by declining a top government appointment to join Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. There, he played a foundational role in establishing and developing the field of community medicine in Nigeria. His roles at ABU included Reader and Acting Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Professor and Head of Department, Director of the Institute of Health, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Pro Vice-Chancellor.
Between 1978 and 1980, he served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was also a visiting professor at the University of North Carolina, USA, where he shared his expertise with an international academic community.
Prof. Shehu’s contributions to global health were equally remarkable. He served with the World Health Organization (WHO) as Nigeria’s National Program Coordinator, WHO Regional Director, and as the organization’s Representative to Ethiopia.
At home, he continued to shape Nigeria’s medical and educational landscape. He was appointed Sole Administrator of the University of Maiduguri, served as Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, and chaired the Board of Management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. He also served as Pro-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and the University of Lagos.
A founding fellow of numerous medical and scientific bodies in Nigeria, Prof. Shehu has been a constant presence in national policy discussions, academic development, and public health advocacy. He has authored numerous scholarly works, served on national committees, and mentored generations of Nigerian physicians and public health professionals.
In recognition of his lifetime of service, Prof. Shehu has been awarded some of Nigeria’s highest national honours, including the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). He also holds honorary doctorates from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Now in his 90s, Professor Umaru Shehu remains an enduring symbol of intellectual excellence, leadership, and patriotic service. From the corridors of Maiduguri to international health forums, his legacy continues to inspire future generations in medicine and beyond.
