Lagos approves upgrade of LASUCOM to medical varsity
The Lagos State Executive Council has approved the transformation of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) into the University of Medicine & Health Sciences (U.M.H).
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, during a stakeholders meeting held at the LASUCOM premises on Friday.
The draft law to formalise the establishment of U.M.H has been approved for submission to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This move is marked to create a specialised institution that will operate with a network of clinical training facilities across the state, with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) designated as the primary oversight facility.
“There is no going back on this upgrade by this administration,” asserted Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, emphasising the government’s unwavering commitment to the project.
He noted that a substantial area of land at Ketu-Ejirin in Epe has been earmarked for the main campus, which will house administrative offices and basic medical science programs, while clinical training will occur at LASUTH and other selected facilities.
The innovative plan allows U.M.H to utilise the clinical personnel and infrastructure of well-equipped general hospitals and private health institutions across Lagos, enabling the training of a larger cohort of medical professionals.
Also, Provost of LASUCOM, Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, expressed gratitude for the government’s support, stating, “The government under the leadership of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shown beyond doubt her ability to successfully transit the College to a full-blown University. This is definitely good news.”
The meeting also celebrated a significant achievement as Dr. Eyituoyo Okoturo from the Faculty of Dentistry received a N72 million research grant, presented by Mr. Sunmola Bakare, MD/CEO of AB Offshore Marine Services Ltd, on behalf of the Sunmola Bakare Foundation for Innovative (Clinical) Research.
In attendance were key officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Olukemi Ogunyemi, and the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabanwo, who conveyed the hospital’s readiness to support the transformation.
