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2 days ago
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Health
September 4, 2025 by Adekunle Yusuf
The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Nigeria’s foremost tertiary health institution, is witnessing a sweeping wave of transformation that is fast reshaping its landscape and redefining patient care. This revival comes on the back of unprecedented federal investment in the health sector. In February, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a $1.07 billion package for health reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme. Designed to tackle deep-seated challenges—ranging from rising cases of non-communicable diseases to poor access and decaying infrastructure—the initiative has set Nigeria’s teaching hospitals, including LUTH, on a new trajectory.
According to LUTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, infrastructure funding for federal teaching hospitals has soared to levels never before seen in the country’s history. “Teaching hospitals’ infrastructure funding has increased by over 900 percent,” he told The Nation in an exclusive interview, underscoring the scale of the government’s renewed commitment. “Government is allocating lots of money to upgrade infrastructure here. We have never witnessed anything close to this in over 40 years. Aside from the physical transformation, we’re also getting new medical equipment. If the Federal Government sustains this trend in the next five years, all our teaching hospitals will become world-class.”
Among the flagship projects underway is the comprehensive renovation of LUTH’s largest wards—E3, E5, and E7. Together, these wards accommodate 240 beds and stretch across two wings on the first, second, and third floors, comprising 90 wards in total. “These are the busiest wards in the hospital, and their upgrade will significantly boost our capacity to serve patients,” Prof. Adeyemo explained. “What makes this special is that it is fully funded by the Federal Government.”
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Beyond the general wards, LUTH is also expanding its capacity to respond to a rapidly ageing population. A brand-new three-storey geriatric building is rising within the hospital complex to provide care tailored for the elderly—a demographic often overlooked in Nigeria’s health planning. Dr. Ayodeji Oluwole, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) at LUTH, described the geriatric project as ground-breaking: “Elderly people don’t always need treatment; what they need is a place where they can live with dignity among their peers. Facilities of this kind are scarce in Lagos, so this will make a huge difference.”
The transformation does not stop with the main wards. Other critical care points are also getting a facelift. Renovations are ongoing in Wards E6, E5, and E3 (covering both medical and surgical patients), while modernisation is advancing in the labour ward, neonatal units, and Accident and Emergency (A&E) complex. “These upgrades will have a direct impact on patient outcomes,” Dr. Oluwole said. “From maternal health to accident response, LUTH will be better equipped than ever.”
In addition to government-led projects, private philanthropy is playing a supportive role. A family recently sponsored the upgrade of the Physiotherapy Department, turning it into a state-of-the-art facility. The department now boasts a solar-powered system, a swimming pool, hydrotherapy services, adult and children’s gyms, seminar rooms, and even a dedicated radiology centre. “This kind of partnership between government and private citizens is exactly what our health sector needs,” Prof. Adeyemo noted.
Another ambitious project at LUTH is the renovation of the old outpatient building, which will soon be linked to the modern outpatient facility across the road via a skywalk. The new outpatient facility, a massive edifice, will soon be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu
Dr. Rufus Ojewola, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), described the project as “a bold redesign of hospital architecture to improve patient flow.” The new outpatient building will feature 254 clinic rooms spread across five floors, complete with ramps to aid accessibility. In parallel, construction is progressing on a three-storey Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Centre for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases—critical in a country that continues to battle high TB prevalence.
The reforms sweeping through LUTH are part of a much broader package. Recently, the Federal Government has also approved N4.8 billion for HIV treatment, prevention, and care. Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, disclosed that the International Development Association (IDA) provided two concessional loans of $500 million each, complemented by $70 million in grant funding from other international partners. Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasised that the HOPE programme aligns closely with the administration’s human capital agenda. “This financing will support recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare workers and teachers at the subnational level,” he said.
The mood inside LUTH reflects a new sense of optimism. For decades, staff and patients alike had grown accustomed to dilapidated facilities, frequent breakdowns and inadequate equipment. Today, they are watching a different story unfold. Prof Adeyemo, a workaholic, said the changes are palpable. “The pace of infrastructure renewal here is refreshing. Staff morale is high, and patients are already beginning to notice improvements,” he told The Nation during a tour of LUTH facilities.
Yet, challenges remain: “Power supply is still a major concern,” the CMD cautioned, noting that unreliable electricity continues to affect operations despite new solar installations in some units. For LUTH, the reforms are not merely cosmetic but foundational, he enthused. The infusion of funds, the architectural redesign and the equipment upgrade are collectively positioning the hospital to reclaim its place as a centre of excellence.
Healthcare analysts say the impact could be felt well beyond Lagos. As one of Nigeria’s largest teaching hospitals, LUTH serves as both a referral centre for complex cases and a training ground for future medical professionals. By strengthening its infrastructure, the Federal Government is indirectly boosting Nigeria’s entire health ecosystem. Prof. Adeyemo remains upbeat: “What we are witnessing today is a new chapter for LUTH and for Nigerian healthcare. With sustained investment, teaching hospitals like ours will be able to deliver world-class services to our people.”
The reforms, backed by over a billion dollars in financing, represent one of the boldest health interventions in Nigeria’s history. If sustained, they could mark the beginning of an era where patients no longer have to leave the country for care, and where teaching hospitals once again stand tall as symbols of national pride. For now, cranes, scaffolding, and construction workers dominate the grounds of LUTH. But in the near future, these signs of rebuilding may well transform into the foundations of a new healthcare legacy for Nigeria.
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