Dr. Usman Iskilu is a renowned medical practitioner who made his mark in the field of medicine and is widely acknowledged as a man who knows his onion not only in the field of medicine but even on aspects of public administration and interpersonal relationships. Anyone who knows Dr. Usman Iskilu knows him as someone who, apart from coming from a humble background, is the kind of person who detests injustice. and very cool-headed; his simplicity is lagendary. When Gov. Abdullahi Sule announced him as a new healsman at the Nasarawa state primary health care development agency, many aplounded the appointment.Some couldn’t help but commend the appointment, describing it as “putting a peg in a round hall.”.
However, it is worthy of note that Dr. Iskilu, despite his simplicity, is not a man who allows ‘anything to go’ when it comes to his assigned job in both his official and unofficial capacities. He is thoroughbred, so to speak.
Dr. Iskilu is somebody who pays due diligence to everything that comes his way. And as a medical doctor of national and international repute, he doesn’t care what people may say, but when it comes to performance, all he knows is results. The word ‘compromise’ is never in his dictionary; excellence is his guiding principle.
Some development experts, health sector actors, and even the general public may like to know who this Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh is. Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh was born in Lafia Nasarawa State on August 17, 1984, into the famous family of Alh. Iskilu Saleh of Unguwar Magajin Mallam. He attended Al-Iman primary school Lafia from 1989 to 1995. And same Al-Iman Secondary School from 1995 to 2001. His thirst for acquiring higher education took him to Bayero University Kano after coming out with flying colors at his SSCE. At Bayero University, Dr. Iskilu graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 2012. From 2017 to 2022, Dr. Iskilu attended the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN). Between 2020 and 2022, Dr. Iskilu enrolled in National Open University and graduated with a Masters of Public Health (MPH) in 2023. He equally attended the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). As a man who pays attention to professionalism, Dr. Iskilu has the following professional qualifications to his credit: Associate Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, 2023; Associate Member, Society for Peace Studies and Practice (ASPSP); 2023; Associate Fellow (Anesthesia and Intensive Care) of National Postgraduate Medical College Nigeria, 2021 Certificate on Health Resources Management (HRM) of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (2022) and Certificate on Basic and Advanced Research Methodology in Medicine of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (2022), as well as Primary (anesthesia) of the West Africa College of Surgeons (2015).
Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh’s working career took him to many high-class places, both government and non-governmental organizations. Few amongst such places are: NYSC Medical Officer, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Medical Officer, M&D Hospital Lafia, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital as Junion Registrar, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Resident Doctor, National Hospital Abuja. Senior Registrar, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Chief Medical Officer, Government House Clinic Lafia, and he capped it all as Personal Physician to the Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the position he held until his appointment as Executive Secretary of NAPHDA Lafia in September 2024. Dr. Iskilu, while serving at the government house, Lafia performed ad hoc duties as member of the 2014 Hajj medical team. Head, Hajj medical team from 2015 to 2024. In the course of assignments, Dr. Iskilu attended various trainings, meetings, workshops, and conferences, chief amongst which are: an update course in the principle and practice of anesthesia, CPR, ICU, Clinical Measurement and Research Methodology, a 2-day workshop on the 2015 AHA Guidelines on CPR, an intensive course in basic science, ICU, the principle and practice of anesthesia and instrumention, Treat the Pain, the America Cancer Society pain-free hospital initiative, A 3-day adult ART training for health care workers in Nasarawa State, youth advocacy training on reproductive health and rights, and a computer training course, as well as the 11th National Convention organized by the Association of Muslim Health Students of Nigeria. The achievements recorded thus far by Dr. Iskilu are not without appreciation, as he has on his cap many honors and awards, which include, among others, a Certificate of Honor awarded by the Islamic Medical Association, Bayero University Kano, and a Certificate of Honor awarded by the Association of Muslim Health Students of Nigeria. certificate of honor awarded by the Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria and a certificate of honor awarded by the NYSC Medical and Community Health Service. Dr  Iskilu is a member, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Member, National Association of Resident Doctor (NARD) Member World Federation Society of Anaesthesia (NSA) and Member, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Of- course, without fear of being immodest, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh’s resume can at best be described as intimating, requiring serious aploud from all and soundry, which makes it the more reason why Engr. Abdullahi Sule appointed him to oversee the affairs of the Primary Health Care Development Agency in Nasarawa State, and with him at the helm, there is nothing to prevent the agency from becoming a success story.