LAGOS, 16 October 2024 — Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated that the establishment of a new medical university is in its final stages, with plans to transform the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) into the Lagos State University of Health and Medical Sciences. This initiative aims to address the growing brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the plans in January, aiming for the university to be operational by the end of 2024. The development will expand the number of state-owned universities from three to four, joining existing institutions such as Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
During a recent address at the Lagos Physical Planning Summit, Sanwo-Olu responded to remarks made by his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, who emphasized the need for efficient governance and the strategic use of veto powers in cabinet decisions. Sanwo-Olu revealed that he had to exercise his veto in a contentious cabinet meeting regarding the establishment of the medical university, highlighting the urgency of developing qualified healthcare professionals in the state.
The governor’s statements may also be connected to recent tensions between the management of LASU and LASUCOM. These tensions reportedly arose from the state government’s move to upgrade the medical college without the university management’s support, leading to the temporary interdiction of LASUCOM’s provost, Abiodun Adewuya. He was later reinstated following the governor’s intervention.
At a stakeholders’ meeting, the Provost of LASUCOM expressed confidence in the institution’s ability to produce highly qualified medical personnel. The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, also noted that Lagos is well-equipped with the necessary infrastructure and facilities to successfully run a medical university.
The establishment of the Lagos State University of Health and Medical Sciences represents a significant step toward improving healthcare education and addressing the shortages of medical professionals in Nigeria.
