As part of the drive to address inadequate students’ hostel facilities at the university, as well as to strengthen infrastructure for the training of medical professionals, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Wednesday embarked on plans for the construction of a new 170-bed Medical Students’ Hostel at the College of Medicine (CMUL), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
This is as the university signed all necessary documentation with Colton Construction Limited and formally handed over the project site to the firm for the commencement of construction work, as the building project is expected to be delivered under specifications within the stipulated timeline of 24 months.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, described the project as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening infrastructure for the training of medical professionals.
According to her, the hostel project executed and funded by the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), upon completion, would significantly improve students’ accommodation problems in the College and support UNILAG’s goal of training up to 1,000 medical doctors annually.
She, however, commended the Federal Government and TETFund for the support, as well as the management of CMUL for facilitating the project, even as the Vice-Chancellor expressed concern over the continued exodus of medical graduates from Nigeria and its grave implications for the nation’s healthcare system.
While calling for an urgent need for training institutions to expand capacity to produce more qualified professionals, Prof Ogunsola also highlighted gaps in existing medical training facilities and emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the Director of Colton Construction Limited, Dr Anthony Ajulo, expressed gratitude to the university management for its confidence in the firm, and assured the university’s stakeholders of the construction company’s commitment to deliver the project in line with approved specifications and standards, within the stipulated timeline of 24 months.
Earlier, the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof Ademola Oremosu, disclosed that the hostel project is part of the Special High Impact Projects of TETFund, and commended the university management for its commitment.
He expressed confidence that the project would significantly enhance infrastructure for the training of competent and well-rounded medical practitioners.
CAPTION: VC, Prof Folasade Ogunsola (middle) with management of the construction firm and other principal officers of the university, during the event
