The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, has made an announcement regarding the State Executive Council's approval for the transformation of Lagos State University College of Medicine into a specialized medical university. The new institution will be known as the University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

This announcement was made during a stakeholders' meeting held on Friday at the Conference Hall of the Tetfund building on the LASUCOM premises. The meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and the Ministry of Health, with representatives from LASUCOM and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in attendance.

Sule indicated that the draft legislation to formally establish the university has been approved for submission to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He emphasized that the university will operate with a network of clinical training facilities throughout the IBILE Administrative divisions of the state, with LASUTH designated as the primary clinical training facility.

Reiterating the government's dedication to this initiative, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, stated, “This administration is fully committed to this upgrade.”

He added that a significant parcel of land has been allocated at Ketu-Ejirin in Epe to serve as the university's main campus, which will accommodate administrative offices and basic medical science programs, while clinical training will take place at LASUTH and other selected clinical training facilities across the IBILE administrative divisions.

In addition, he elaborated that this pioneering strategy will allow the new university to utilize the clinical personnel and resources of various well-equipped general hospitals, as well as certain private hospitals and laboratories in Lagos, to train an increased number of medical doctors and healthcare professionals.

The Provost of LASUCOM, Prof. Abiodun Adewuya, expressed appreciation to the state government and highlighted the college's commitment to facilitating the transition to the University of Medicine and Health Science.

He noted that the college administration welcomed the announcement, recognizing the dedication and transparency demonstrated by Sanwo-Olu’s administration in establishing the university.

He stated, “The government, led by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has clearly proven its capability to successfully transform the college into a fully operational university, making the commissioner’s message very encouraging.

“Let me assure everyone that the college is ready to support the government to achieve this goal.”

In August, the state government initiated the process to convert LASUCOM into an independent medical university.

In early January, Sanwo-Olu revealed plans to create a medical university aimed at improving the state’s healthcare infrastructure and addressing the outflow of doctors and medical professionals abroad.

The governor indicated that the university is expected to be established by the end of 2024 and will produce approximately 1,500 doctors each year, setting a precedent for other states to emulate Lagos.