The Lagos State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the upgrade of the Lagos State University of University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) to the University of Medicine and Health Science (UMH).
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, stated this at a stakeholder meeting jointly organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Ministry of Health with the Management teams of LASUCOM and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.
According to Sule, the draft law to establish the university has also been approved for submission to the Lagos House of Assembly.
He noted that the university will function with a network of clinical training facilities across the IBILE Administrative divisions of the state, with LASUTH serving as the primary oversight clinical training facility.
Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project, said: “There is no going back on this upgrade by this administration.
“A sizeable expanse of land has been made available at Ketu-Ejirin in Epe to serve as the university’s main campus, which will house the administrative buildings and the basic medical science programs while the clinical training will be at LASUTH and other designated clinical training facilities across the IBILE administrative divisions.”
Abayomi explained further that the innovative plan will allow the new university utilise the clinical personnel and infrastructure of other well equipped General Hospitals, and even some private hospitals and laboratories, for training of doctors and other health professionals.
Provost of LASUCOM Prof. Abiodun Adewuya thanked the government and emphasised the college’s readiness to support the transition to the University of Medicine and Health Science.
He added that the College’s Management is happy about the announcement, noting that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration has shown absolute commitment and sincerity to float the university.
He said: “The government has shown beyond doubt its ability to successfully transit the college to a full blown University, and so the commissioner’s message is definitely good news.
“Let me assure everyone that the College is ready to support the government to achieve this goal.”
Also at the meeting, Dr. Eyituoyo Okoturo of the Faculty of Dentistry, received the prestigious Sunmonu Bakare Innovation Research Grant valued at N72 million.
This grant was presented by Mr. Sunmola Bakare, MD/CEO of AB Offshore Marine Services Ltd, and representative of the Sunmola Bakare Foundation for Innovative (Clinical) Research.
Others at the meeting were Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Olukemi Ogunyemi; LASUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabanwo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Waheed Kasali; Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Oludara; LASUCOM Deputy Provost, Prof. Olufemi Idowu, among others.
