In January, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State revealed intentions to set up the University of Health and Medical Sciences by the end of 2024 to address the issue of brain drain in the healthcare sector. The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the establishment of the medical university is now in its final stages.
This suggests that the current Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Ikeja may soon be upgraded to a fully recognised university to be called the Lagos State University of Health and Medical Sciences. This development will raise the number of state-owned universities from one to four, which would include Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and the forthcoming medical university.
In the past three years, the state has transformed its polytechnic in Ikorodu and its colleges of education in Ijanikin and Epe into universities, increasing the total number of universities to three.
Lagos Governor Remarks
During his remarks at the Lagos Physical Planning Summit, Governor Sanwo-Olu responded to comments made by his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, regarding the use of veto power in cabinet meetings to ensure the state’s best interests. Fashola, the keynote speaker, emphasised the importance of continuing reforms in physical planning and streamlining the issuance of building permits. He urged Sanwo-Olu to bypass bureaucratic delays by exercising his veto authority, which the electorate had entrusted to him.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged Fashola’s reminder about the importance of using veto power when necessary. He cited a recent instance where he had to employ this authority during a contentious cabinet discussion. The debate centred around the approval of establishing a Lagos State University of Medical Sciences aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in the state. Despite strong opposition within the cabinet, Sanwo-Olu followed Fashola’s advice and exercised his veto power to push the project forward.
During a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the Provost of LASUCOM expressed confidence in the presence of qualified and motivated personnel committed to making the medical university a source of pride for both the state and Nigeria in terms of professionalism and standards.
The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, noted that the state is well-equipped with sufficient health and medical infrastructure to support a successful medical university.
Other stakeholders at the meeting assured the state government of their ministries’ readiness to provide support and cooperation for the multi-campus medi
