By Samuel Akpan
In a significant stride towards improving healthcare accessibility in Nigeria’s South-East, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has inaugurated and handed over a 1.5 Tesla GE MRI system to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi, Anambra State.
The move directly tackles equipment shortages that have long hampered quality diagnosis and treatment for millions in the region.
Speaking at the event on Friday at the Igwe Orizu ICT Centre, NAUTH Permanent Site, Anambra State, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Ojulari described the occasion as historic.
“Today marks a milestone achievement as NNPC Limited commissions and officially hands over an equipment that is critical to optimal healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he said.
“The installation of a 1.5 Tesla GE MRI system in a public health institution such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, for us at NNPC is a testament to what we do in corporate social responsibility (CSR), in addition to managing vast crude oil and gas resources in trust for more than 200 million Nigerians.”
Ojulari emphasized NNPC’s broader commitment beyond the energy sector.
He noted that this was another major public health commissioning in recent weeks, following the handover of hospital wards at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.
He highlighted Nigeria’s health sector challenges, including infrastructural and equipment deficits, technology limitations, personnel attrition and funding shortfalls, stressing that the NAUTH intervention was timely.
The GCEO added that the MRI would ease healthcare management for personnel and patients alike, positively impacting thousands of lives in Anambra State and the entire South-East geopolitical zone by reducing travel, costs and barriers to care.
“The installation of the MRI in NAUTH exemplifies our commitment as our intent is to build enduring institutions, sustainable systems and legacies,” Ojulari stated.
He also pointed to NNPC’s production milestone of 365,000 barrels per day in December 2025 while expanding deep-water opportunities and gas commercialisation, reaffirming the company’s focus on cost leadership and process compliance.
Emmanuella N. Arukwe, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, expressed delight at the commissioning, saying:“I am delighted about today’s commissioning and handover by NNPC Limited of a 1.5 Tesla GE Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) System to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.”
“A new chapter opens for this health institution as the installation of the MRI system will now significantly bridge the gap in quality and efficient healthcare delivery to Nigerians in the South-East geopolitical zone.”
Arukwe cited a Nigeria Health Watch 2024 report noting that over 250,000 Nigerians die annually due to insufficient healthcare access, underscoring how the project addresses diagnosis challenges, patient referrals, travel risks, psychological stress and impoverishing medical costs.
She reiterated the Foundation’s end-to-end sustainability approach, including training for frontline personnel on the equipment’s deployment and utilisation.
The initiative also benefits NAUTH’s dual role in patient care and training future medical professionals at an institution over 35 years old.
Under its thematic areas of Health, Education, Environment and Access to Energy.
The Foundation has in three years delivered cataract surgeries to over 6,000 Nigerians (including children with congenital blindness), screened over 4,000 for cancer (including childhood cases for early detection), conducted outreaches on non-communicable diseases, maternal and child care, and provided free cardiac interventions.
Sophia A. Mbakwe, Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Limited, welcomed dignitaries and outlined the company’s vision.
“NNPC Limited’s commitment, through its Foundation – the NNPC Foundation – [is] to deliver sustainable and impactful social interventions to beneficiaries across Nigeria,” she said.
“Today, we are in Anambra to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the quality of life of the people of Anambra and the entire South-Eastern geopolitical zone who access this institution for their healthcare needs.”
Mbakwe noted that NNPC’s impact extends far beyond managing energy resources.
“In over forty years of its existence, NNPC has stayed the course in impacting lives positively across Nigeria – supporting with infrastructural development, social amenities, educational sponsorships, and a host of other projects and initiatives that have underscored our values of Integrity, Excellence and Sustainability,” she added.
As a limited liability company operating through the NNPC Foundation and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks, the company continues to manage stakeholder expectations nationwide.
She invoked the popular saying “Health is wealth” and praised the MRI’s potential.
“The installation of the 1.5 Tesla MRI system, we believe, will significantly enhance this hospital’s capacity to functionally diagnose neurological, oncological, cardiovascular and all related conditions with effective speed and accuracy and consequently facilitate effective treatment of patients,” Mbakwe stated.
“The installation of the MRI system here in Anambra has also brought healthcare service of this specialised nature nearer to everyone in this zone.
“We are excited that this will make a huge difference to healthcare accessibility, affordability and mortality rate as more lives will be saved due to the installation of this equipment.”
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