Lagos Moves to Address Doctor Shortage with Proposed University of Medicine

By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, has clarified that the bill seeking to establish the University of Medicine is not a mere renaming of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).

In a statement, Mr Sule explained that the initiative represents a deliberate effort to create a world-class institution that will train and deploy medical and health professionals both within and beyond Lagos State.

Echoing this position, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, drew attention to the wide gap between the state’s rapidly growing population and its limited pool of medical practitioners. He stressed that the new university will play a critical role in strengthening human capacity in the health sector and enhancing the quality of medical care.

Professor Abayomi further observed that the institution will help curb the emigration of doctors, a persistent challenge undermining Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Earlier, the Lagos State House of Assembly advanced the bill to establish the University of Medicine and Health Sciences as part of its efforts to address pressing healthcare needs.

At a public hearing on the proposed legislation, which convened key stakeholders, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Merainda Lasbat, underscored the importance of public contributions, noting that they would help ensure the university’s sustainability as a multi-campus institution.

Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Richard Kassumu, assured stakeholders that all feedback would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final draft of the bill.