The department of Surgery is one of the foundation Departments of the College of medicine of the University of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. It started in 1967 with pioneer surgeons such as professors Fabian Udekwu, Festus Nwako, Ray Anikwe, Nwafor, Ohaegbulem, Joseph Ojukwu and a host of other legends. The department has made name for itself in the areas of Open Heart Surgery, Separation of Siamese twins, surgical oncology practices and recently Laparoscopic General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and renal transplant surgery.

Presently the department of surgery has 44 full time consultants made up of 28 Lecturers of the University and 16 full time hospital consultants. The department can boast of two Emeritus professors.