The conception of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital began in 1969 with Colonel Samuel O. Ogbemudia, the then Governor of the Midwestern State of Nigeria and Prof. Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie. The desire of establishing a befitting medical centre in the Midwestern Region of Nigeria ensued after paying private visits to the Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Records had it that the Governor was genuinely impressed with the facilities of these hospitals after the visits. A few months after, an Advisory Committee for the Midwestern Medical Centre was set up with Prof. H. Oritsejolomi Thomas as Chairman. Other members of the committee were Prof. Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie, Prof. Alex Eyimofo Boyo and Mr O. I. Afe who was the Secretary to the Midwestern Military Government and Head of Service. Within the same year, the construction of the Hospital was awarded by the committee to Costain (Nigeria) Limited and was funded collaboratively by both the Government of the Midwestern Region and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Other prominent individuals who championed the actualisation of the Hospital from construction to its opening were: Dr Irene E. B. Ighodaro, Prof. Glyn O. Philips, Dr A. E. Ikomi, Dr F.O. Esiri Infirmary and Mr J. O. Iluebbey. It is noteworthy to mention, that the "Midwest Medical Centre" was renamed "University of Benin Teaching Hospital" in a budget speech by Colonel Samuel O. Ogbemudia in April 1972. Many accolades were accorded specifically to Prof. Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie who made sacrificial efforts all through, from the Hospital’s conception to its completion. He was a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, one time Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Provost, College of Medical Sciences, all of the University of Benin. The University of Benin Teaching Hospital has contributed immensely to the preferment
