More than 250 student nurses at the Lagos State College of Nursing, LASCON, Igando, now have access to a new hostel facility inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of efforts to expand healthcare manpower in Lagos.
The new facility, commissioned on Friday, comes with training and registration facilities, solar power infrastructure and 24-hour CCTV surveillance, providing students with improved accommodation and learning conditions.
Speaking at the commissioning, Sanwo-Olu described nurses as indispensable to the state’s healthcare system, stressing that their skills and dedication would remain critical to meeting the needs of Lagos’ rapidly growing population.
He said the hostel represents more than an infrastructure project, describing it as an investment in human capital, student welfare and the future of healthcare delivery in the state.
The governor also disclosed that the Lagos State Government is pursuing approval for a University of Medical Sciences that would expand the state’s capacity to train doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
According to him, the proposed university would help address the shortage of skilled healthcare workers while reducing pressure on existing health facilities.
Sanwo-Olu urged LASCON students and management to protect and maintain the new facility, saying responsible use of public infrastructure would encourage further government investment.
Earlier, the Provost of LASCON, Dr. Ayodeji Ogunmuyiwa, said the hostel would increase the college’s capacity to train nurses at a time when Nigeria continues to face a shortage of healthcare professionals.
Ogunmuyiwa noted that despite Lagos having a population of more than 20 million, regulatory limitations have restricted the college’s annual admission capacity, making investment in training infrastructure essential.
She disclosed that LASCON recently recorded a 100 per cent success rate in professional examinations and has upgraded its ICT and Computer-Based Test facilities.
The Provost also announced that the college is expecting its first set of graduates this year, while appealing for additional buses, qualified personnel and placement opportunities for graduating students.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, said the project reflects the state government’s commitment to tertiary education, youth empowerment and the development of competent healthcare professionals.
The commissioning forms part of Lagos State’s broader investment in education and healthcare infrastructure aimed at producing the skilled workforce needed to sustain the state’s expanding health system.
