The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna, is a tertiary mental health institution under the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja. It is located along Barnawa Road, opposite Shagari Federal Low-Cost Housing, Barnawa, Kaduna South.

The hospital was founded and opened in 1975 by the defunct North Central State Government with an initial 100-bed capacity. In 1996, the Federal Government of Nigeria took over the hospital from the Kaduna State Government following recommendations by the National Committee for the Review of Psychiatric Care Services, chaired by Dr. Marinho.

Today, it stands as one of eight (8) full-fledged Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals in the federation. The others are located in Benin City (Uselu), Maiduguri, Kware (Sokoto), Enugu, Calabar, Abeokuta (Aro), and Yaba (Lagos).

The hospital is accredited by both the West African College of Physicians and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, as well as by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, for the Residency Training of Doctors and Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing.

Currently, the hospital has a bed capacity of 154, which is expected to increase by 298 beds upon completion of the Male/Female Acute Wards B and DRU Ward B.

PAST & PRESENT MEDICAL DIRECTORS

1975:

• Establishment of the Hospital as Psychiatric Hospital Kakuri with 100 beds under the Kaduna State Government.

• Prof. M. H. Ahmed served as the visiting consultant psychiatrist, paying twice-weekly visits to the Hospital.

1975 – 1976:

• Dr. Iskandar (an Egyptian) also served as a consultant psychiatrist.

1978:

• The School of Psychiatric Nursing was established, with Mr. Ujora as its pioneer Principal.

1988 – 1996:

• Dr. I. S. Baka, S. A. Luba, Dr. Shorounmu, and Dr. Yenge joined the Hospital.

1989:

• Dr. Yenge left the Hospital as a Medical Officer to P.H. Aro.

• Dr. Shorounmu left for Australia after attaining the rank of Senior Registrar.

1991:

• Dr. Baka took over leadership of the Hospital after Dr. Iskandar left as the Medical Officer in Charge.

• The Hospital became the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital after the Federal Government took over five state-owned psychiatric facilities across the country — located in Enugu, Calabar, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and Kaduna.

• This made a total of eight Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals nationwide, in addition to the existing three in Yaba, Aro, and Uselu.

1996:

• Prof. M. H. Ahmed became the first Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna.

• The Hospital was officially renamed Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Barnawa, Kaduna.

• Dr. G. T. Suleman joined the senior staff of the Hospital.

2001:

• Prof. G. T. Suleman became the Medical Director, succeeding Prof. Ahmed.

2002:

• Dr. S. O. Adeyemi joined the services of the Hospital.

2004:

• Dr. A. B. Adeponle joined the services of the Hospital.

2007:

• Dr. G. O. Oju joined the Hospital.

• Dr. Adeponle left the services of the Hospital.

2008:

• Dr. N. W. Ebitì joined the Hospital.

• Dr. Nuhu F. T. also joined as a Consultant Psychiatrist.

2009:

• Dr. N. U. Ekele became the first Psychiatrist trained by the Hospital.

2010 – 2018:

• Dr. T. L. Sheikh served as the Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna.

2018 – 2021:

• Late Prof. A. J. Yusuf served as the Medical Director.

2022 – Date:

• Prof. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u is the current Medical Director.