Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated a new hostel facility at the Lagos State College of Nursing (LASCON), Igando, as part of efforts to expand healthcare manpower and improve student welfare.
The facility, which accommodates more than 250 students, is equipped with training and registration facilities, solar power infrastructure and 24-hour CCTV surveillance.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday, Sanwo-Olu described nurses as critical to the healthcare system, stressing that their expertise and dedication are essential to meeting the needs of Lagos’ growing population.
He said the project was more than a physical structure, describing it as an investment in human capital, student welfare and the quality of healthcare education in the state.
The governor also disclosed that the state is pursuing approval for the establishment of a University of Medical Sciences to expand its capacity to train doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
According to him, the proposed institution would help address the shortage of skilled healthcare workers and ease pressure on existing health facilities arising from Lagos’ rapidly growing population.
Sanwo-Olu urged students and management of LASCON to take ownership of the new hostel and ensure its proper maintenance, saying responsible use of public facilities would encourage government to provide more infrastructure.
He also called for stronger collaboration between government and healthcare professionals, assuring members of the nursing profession of continued support to enable them perform their duties effectively.
Earlier, the Provost of LASCON, Dr Ayodeji Ogunmuyiwa, said the new hostel would enhance the college’s capacity to train more nurses amid the shortage of healthcare manpower in Lagos and Nigeria.
Ogunmuyiwa noted that despite Lagos’ population of more than 20 million, regulatory limitations have constrained the college’s annual admission capacity, making investment in training infrastructure imperative.
She highlighted the institution’s recent achievements, including a 100 per cent success rate in professional examinations, an upgraded Information and Communication Technology Centre and a modern Computer-Based Test centre.
The Provost also disclosed that LASCON is expecting its first set of graduates this year, while appealing for additional buses, more qualified personnel and placement opportunities for graduating students.
She commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for supporting the college’s accreditation process and approving funding for its programmes.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, described the hostel as another demonstration of the government’s commitment to tertiary education, youth empowerment and the development of competent healthcare professionals.
Sule said the investment would provide students with a conducive environment to acquire the skills, discipline and professionalism required to contribute meaningfully to society.
The commissioning is part of the Lagos State Government’s broader investment in education and healthcare infrastructure aimed at strengthening institutions responsible for producing the manpower required to sustain the state’s health system.