Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has applauded Dr Ekiomado Eki-Udoko for breaking new ground as the first female neurosurgeon from Edo and Delta states and the former Midwest Region.
Eki-Udoko, who works at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin, recently attained specialist status after completing her neurosurgical training and receiving certification from the West African College of Surgeons.
She was received by Governor Okpebholo at the Government House in Benin City, where he praised her for reaching a rare professional milestone.
The governor said her achievement demonstrated the ability of Edo indigenes to attain international standards in their chosen professions. He further promised that his administration would assist her in advancing her career while supporting the development of specialist healthcare in the state.
“The area of speciality which you have chosen is a very difficult one, and you must be a very focused person for you to achieve this height; we will support you to go further because we need more brains like you in Edo State to help us,” the governor noted.
The National Orthopaedic Hospital also joined in celebrating the development, with its Medical Director, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, describing Eki-Udoko’s accomplishment as a notable achievement for the institution and specialist medicine in the region.
Ugbodaga said the hospital was particularly pleased that the milestone was achieved by one of its own doctors.
“Your feat is unparalleled and unequalled in the rare and specialised field of neurosurgery. We celebrate your remarkable achievement and, more importantly, the fact that you achieved this feat as a staff of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City.
“We will do all that is required to enable you to deploy your skills and expertise in the management of neurosurgical cases in the hospital, serving patients from our catchment area and from other parts of Nigeria.”
The medical director revealed that Eki-Udoko was recruited during the hospital’s 2025 employment exercise after she was identified as a specialist who could contribute to the institution’s plan to expand advanced medical services.
He said her addition to the medical team was timely, considering the demand for specialised treatment for neurosurgical and trauma-related conditions in Edo, the South-South and other parts of Nigeria.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Eki-Udoko said the journey to becoming a neurosurgeon was demanding but acknowledged the support of her husband throughout the process.
She said she planned to further develop her expertise by undergoing training in various neurosurgical subspecialties.
“I am the First female neurosurgeon in Edo/Delta; we are seven all over the country and five of us are in practice in Nigeria,” she said.
