The Lagos State Government has officially approved the transformation of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) into a specialized medical university. This upgrade was announced via a post on LASUCOM’s official X account, revealing that the new institution will be named the University of Medicine & Health Sciences (UMH). The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, during a recent stakeholders meeting involving the Ministries of Tertiary Education and Health, alongside representatives from LASUCOM and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja.
This move to elevate LASUCOM to a full-fledged medical university began in August 2024, as part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s efforts to provide an internationally recognized college of medicine and a superior healthcare system for the residents of Lagos State. The government aims to create a medical university that addresses the current gaps in medical personnel training and enhances healthcare delivery throughout the state.
Commissioner Sule emphasized that the Lagos State Government has invested significant resources into LASUCOM to meet global standards in medical education and healthcare. However, he acknowledged the challenges faced by the institution, including a rising population, increasing student admissions, heightened healthcare demands, and infrastructure expansion needs, alongside the emigration of healthcare workers.
To overcome these challenges, Sule called on stakeholders to develop practical solutions and strategies for the successful establishment of the University of Medicine & Health Sciences, aiming to fulfill the medical needs of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
Professor Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, noted that Lagos State possesses sufficient medical infrastructure and facilities to support the new university. Meanwhile, LASUCOM’s Provost, Professor Abiodun Adewuya, assured that the institution has well-qualified personnel eager to uphold high standards and professionalism, positioning the upcoming university as a source of pride for the state and the nation.
The government anticipates that the University of Medicine & Health Sciences will commence admissions in the 2024/2025 academic session, leveraging the existing qualified medical staff and facilities throughout Lagos for a successful launch. This upgrade marks a significant step towards advancing medical education and healthcare delivery in Lagos State.
