LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has shut down at least 30 illegal health facilities in 2025 as part of an intensified crackdown on unlicensed medical centres operating without qualified personnel.
Speaking at a sensitisation campaign in Ifako-Ijaiye on Friday, Permanent Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr Abiola Idowu, said the closures were necessary to protect residents from unsafe practices.
“These centres were neither registered nor staffed by qualified personnel. Some could not provide valid licences when visited. Such facilities are a danger to public health,” she said, represented by Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Dr Daniel Olayinka.
Idowu explained that the agency inspects both public and private centres, shutting entire facilities or specific departments when standards are not met. “We have shut down scanning units and laboratories in public hospitals found wanting,” she added.
Residents were urged to check for HEFAMAA’s signage or use QR codes displayed at accredited facilities for instant verification. “Once scanned, patients can see details of services, licences, and submit feedback in real time,” she said.
HEFAMAA reminded Lagosians that only qualified doctors should run hospitals. “We don’t want one person treating eyes, teeth, and multiple conditions at once,” added Chief Nutrition Officer Richard Olusanya.
