Northern Pulse

By Fatima Dayyab Usman

The award night was held at Nicon Luxury hotel Abuja, of which Dr. Mustapha Abubakar Yaro MD National Ear Care Centre Kaduna NECC was awarded for the Best Medical Director of the Year 2026.

Dr. Yaro, a renowned Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and administrator, was born on March 13, 1969, in Kaduna to the family of Alhaji Abubakar Yaro. He began his education at LEA Primary School Unguwan Rimi (1975–1981).

He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Dutsinma, and later completed his secondary education at Rimi College, Kaduna, in 1986, before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria (1987–1989).

Dr. Yaro studied Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1989 and 1998, graduating with an MBBS. He completed his housemanship in 1999 and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2000.

He commenced medical practice as Medical Officer-in-Charge at General Hospital, Ingawa, Katsina State, before undertaking residency training in Otorhinolaryngology at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in 2005, completing the programme in 2011.

During his residency, he served as Chief Resident and won the Olulbekwe Prize in Otorhinolaryngology of the West African College of Surgeons in 2012. On qualifying as a consultant, he returned to Katsina State as Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist at Katsina General Hospital.

He rose to become Head of Clinical Services in 2011 and was appointed Medical Director of the hospital from 2012 to 2016, in recognition of his contributions to patient care and hospital management.

In 2016, the Katsina State Government appointed him Director, Medical Services, Hospitals Management Board, appreciating his administrative competence and passion for health sector development.

Dr. Yaro, a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, and Fellow of the Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators, was appointed Medical Director of the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, in August 2018.

Following the successful completion of his first tenure being appointed by late former President Muhammadu Buhari, President Bola Tinubu reappointed him this year as Substantive Medical Director for another four-year term, in recognition of the laudable projects executed under his leadership.

Since assuming office in 2018, the Centre has recorded remarkable transformation, earning commendations, including a standing ovation and special recognition by the House Committee on Tertiary Health Institutions during an oversight visit.

Known for his zero tolerance to corruption and mediocrity, Dr. Yaro’s commitment to quality in human capacity development, infrastructure, and service delivery has repositioned the Centre among the country’s leading specialised tertiary health institutions.

An examiner with the West African College of Surgeons and a Visiting Consultant to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Dr. Yaro has served on several state and federal committees, including those on ear and hearing care strategic planning and health sector policy development.

His meritorious service, reflected in improved healthcare delivery, extensive staff training, modern equipment procurement, and infrastructural development, has earned him numerous awards from professional bodies and civil society organisations.

At 56, Dr. Mustapha Abubakar Yaro stands out as an iconic professional and accomplished administrator, a distinction that has earned him DAILY ASSET Newspaper’s Best Chief Medical Director of the Year.