Juliet Jacob 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government is establishing the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Lagos (UMHLagos), to address a crippling doctor shortage and stem the mass migration of healthcare professionals abroad.
Health Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi on Monday revealed the plan during a public hearing at the State House of Assembly, stressing that Lagos faces a medical workforce crisis.
“Lagos currently has about 7,000 doctors, when the demand is closer to 40,000.
This leaves us with a deficit of nearly 30,000, and our current output of around 200 doctors per year falls far below WHO standards,” Abayomi explained.
The commissioner said UMHLagos would consolidate existing public health resources while expanding training across the state’s five divisions – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe.
LASUTH will serve as the primary clinical training site, with general hospitals and primary healthcare centres functioning as additional teaching hubs.
He noted that the new university builds on the legacy of LASUCOM. “The establishment of UMHLagos is a strategic investment in our future. By expanding capacity and retaining talent, we can strengthen healthcare delivery and reduce reliance on foreign-trained doctors,” Abayomi stated.
The initiative also aims to counter the “Japa” phenomenon – the mass emigration of Nigerian professionals seeking opportunities abroad – by equipping more doctors locally and improving retention.
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