Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned a newly constructed 248-bed students’ hostel at the Lagos State College of Nursing (LASCON), Igando, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening nursing education and healthcare manpower development in the state.
The ultramodern facility, commissioned on Friday, is designed to accommodate more than 248 students and is equipped with additional learning and welfare facilities aimed at improving the academic and living environment of student nurses.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the project as an investment in human capital development and the future of healthcare delivery in Lagos State.
He emphasised the indispensable role of nurses in the healthcare system, noting that their expertise, dedication and professionalism remain critical to meeting the healthcare needs of the state’s growing population.
The Governor also disclosed that his administration was pursuing approval for the establishment of a University of Medical Sciences in Lagos to expand the state’s 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 healthcare facilities across the state.
Sanwo-Olu urged the management and students of LASCON to take ownership of the new facility and ensure its proper maintenance, stressing that responsible use of public infrastructure would encourage further government investment in educational facilities.
He also assured members of the nursing profession of the state government’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving their working and learning conditions.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, described the project as another milestone in the state’s education and healthcare development agenda.
Sule said the facility demonstrated the government’s commitment to empowering young people, improving healthcare delivery and creating an environment that promotes excellence, comfort and dignity for future healthcare professionals.
He commended the college management, faculty and project execution team for their efforts in delivering the facility, noting that the hostel would contribute to the development of future generations of professional nurses.
The Provost of LASCON, Dr. Ayodeji Ogunmuyiwa, expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the state government for sustained investment in the institution.
Ogunmuyiwa noted that LASCON, whose history dates back to 1948, remains the only College of Nursing in Lagos State and plays a key role in producing qualified nursing professionals for the state’s healthcare system.
She said the college’s growing responsibilities and limited admission capacity made continued investment in infrastructure and human resources essential to meeting the healthcare needs of Lagos residents.
The Provost also highlighted the institution’s academic performance, noting that its students have consistently recorded 100 per cent success in professional examinations.
She disclosed that LASCON is strengthening its academic infrastructure with the establishment of a modern ICT centre to support digital learning, assessments and preparation for professional examinations.
Ogunmuyiwa further appreciated the state government’s support for the college’s accreditation exercises and disclosed that LASCON is preparing to produce its first set of HND graduates.
She, however, appealed for additional government support in transportation, staffing and placement opportunities for graduating students, particularly as the institution prepares for further accreditation and the integration of its graduates into the healthcare workforce.
The newly commissioned hostel annex comprises student accommodation, two 100-capacity classrooms, common rooms, laundry facilities, kitchenettes, a staff lounge, guest room, reception area and a creche.
The facility also features solar-powered inverter systems, generating sets, water and sewage treatment facilities, CCTV cameras, fire safety systems and a covered walkway connecting it to the existing hostel.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by government officials, members of the LASCON Governing Council, traditional rulers, academic and clinical stakeholders, staff and students.
The project marks an expansion of LASCON’s infrastructure and is expected to provide a more conducive environment for nursing education and student welfare in Lagos State.
