Sanwo-Olu Insists Lagos is Prepared to Launch Medical University

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the process to establish a new medical university is nearing completion.

This suggests that the existing Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, is on the verge of being elevated to a full-fledged university, soon named Lagos State University of Health and Medical Sciences.

Once completed, this will increase the number of state-owned universities from one to four, including Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and the upcoming medical university.

In the past three years, the state has converted its polytechnic in Ikorodu and its colleges of education in Ijanikin and Epe into universities, bringing the current total to three.

Governor’s Announcement
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated this development during his address at the Lagos Physical Planning Summit. His statement was in response to comments made by his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, regarding the use of veto power at cabinet meetings to ensure the best outcomes for the state.

Mr. Fashola, who was the keynote speaker, emphasized the need for continued reform in physical planning and the issuance of building permits in Lagos. He encouraged Mr. Sanwo-Olu to bypass bureaucratic delays by utilizing the veto power granted to him by the electorate.

In response, Mr. Sanwo-Olu said: “My predecessor has also reminded me and assured me that there are some veto powers that I need to use. Just yesterday, there was a contentious cabinet memo in which at the end of the day, I had to put that veto to play.”

“We were confronted with getting approval to set up a Lagos State University of Medical Sciences as a deliberate attempt to fix the gap of lack of having qualified medical professionals, doctors, nurses and other health professionals, and this generated hot debates at the cabinet meeting but I had to use the veto power as suggested by my predecessor despite cabinet displeasure.”

 The New Medical University
Earlier this year, in January, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced plans to establish the University of Health and Medical Sciences before the end of 2024, aimed at addressing the brain drain in the health sector.

During a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the Provost of LASUCOM expressed confidence in the institution’s qualified and motivated personnel, noting they are eager to make the university “a pride for the state and Nigeria in terms of professionalism and standards.”

The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, also highlighted the state’s robust medical infrastructure and resources, indicating that Lagos is well-equipped to operate a successful medical university.

Other stakeholders at the meeting pledged their support for the new university, which will have multiple campuses and is expected to begin admitting students in the 2025/2026 academic session.