The Lagos State Executive Council has approved the elevation of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) to a specialized medical university, soon to be named the “University of Medicine & Health Sciences” (U.M.H), as announced by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule.
Mr. Sule shared the news on Friday in the conference hall of the TETFUND building at LASUCOM during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Ministry of Health, which also included representatives from LASUCOM and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He further disclosed that the draft legislation to formally establish the new university has been prepared for submission to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The new institution will be anchored by LASUTH as the primary clinical training facility, with a network of additional training centers across Lagos State’s IBILE Administrative Divisions.
Reaffirming the commitment of the state to this initiative, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated, “There is no going back on this upgrade by this administration.”
He explained that a significant expanse of land has been allocated at Ketu-Ejirin in Epe for the main campus, which will host administrative buildings and basic medical science programs, while clinical training will take place at LASUTH and other designated centers across Lagos.
The innovative model will allow the new university to leverage clinical personnel and the infrastructure of select general hospitals, as well as private hospitals and laboratories, enhancing the training capacity for medical professionals across the state.
Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, Provost of LASUCOM, expressed gratitude to the government for its support and readiness to transition LASUCOM to a full-fledged university.
In his words, “The government under leadership of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shown beyond doubt her ability to successfully transit the College to a full blown University, and so the Commissioner’s message is definitely good news.” He emphasized that LASUCOM stands ready to support this transformation.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH also conveyed the hospital’s enthusiasm to contribute to the upgrade and operational plans of the new university.
During the meeting, another landmark event took place as Dr. Eyituoyo Okoturo, from the Faculty of Dentistry, was awarded a ₦72 million research grant under the prestigious Sunmonu Bakare Innovation Research Grant. This grant was presented by Mr. Sunmola Bakare, MD/CEO of AB Offshore Marine Services Ltd, representing the Sunmola Bakare Foundation for Innovative (Clinical) Research.
Notable attendees included Mr. Tolani Sule, Commissioner for Tertiary Education; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health; Dr. Olukemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health; Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, Provost of LASUCOM; Prof. Adetokunbo Fabanwo, Chief Medical Director of LASUTH; Mr. Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education; Dr. Mrs. Oludara from the Ministry of Health; and other distinguished LASUCOM and LASUTH executives.
