The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the University of Medicine and Health Sciences Bill into law after completing its third and final reading on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The bill, which now awaits the governor’s assent, marks a major move by the state government to expand medical education, strengthen the health workforce, and boost Nigeria’s local capacity for research, innovation, and advanced healthcare delivery.
The decision, seen as a forward-looking investment in the country’s future, came on a day when the Assembly also grappled with mounting worries about Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment. Lawmakers used the sitting to condemn recent cases of violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the country, observing a minute’s silence to honour the victims.
The University of Medicine and Health Sciences Bill was introduced as part of Lagos State’s long-term plan to improve healthcare quality and respond to the growing need for skilled health professionals. When fully established, the university is expected to train doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other specialists who are urgently needed in hospitals and research institutions nationwide.
Many experts have said Nigeria faces a shortage of medical personnel, with thousands of doctors and nurses leaving the country each year in search of better working conditions abroad. By creating a specialized medical university, Lagos aims to help fill that gap.
Lawmakers Adams Noheem, Mojeed Fatai, and Richard Kasunmu were among those who contributed to the final deliberations before the bill was approved. They emphasised that the new university would not only help Lagos but also contribute to national development by producing more healthcare workers and encouraging homegrown research that can strengthen the country’s response to public health emergencies.
With Nigeria continuing to battle gaps in medical facilities, long waiting times in hospitals, and limited access to specialised care, the proposed university is expected to play a key role in reducing pressure on existing institutions such as the University of Lagos’ College of Medicine and the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).
The bill also aligns with global trends that encourage more countries to invest in dedicated medical universities to improve disease research, public health planning, and innovation in medical technology.
Members of the Assembly said the new institution would help Nigeria compete internationally, reduce reliance on foreign medical training, and possibly attract students from other African countries in the future.
However, the day’s legislative progress unfolded against the backdrop of Nigeria’s deepening security challenges. While celebrating the passage of the bill, lawmakers expressed frustration and sorrow over the surge in insecurity nationwide.
Speaker Mudasiru Obasa led the Assembly in condemning the worsening violence, calling attention to the killing of a serving Army General. Obasa described the attack as a disturbing sign of the country’s fragile security climate, warning that if high-ranking military officers could be targeted, ordinary citizens remained even more vulnerable.
The killing adds to a long list of violent incidents reported across the country in recent months, including attacks on communities, ambushes on security personnel, and targeted killings that have left many Nigerians anxious about their safety.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about the growing wave of kidnappings, especially involving schoolchildren. They cited a recent case in Kebbi State where several children were abducted in yet another attack that shocked the nation.
The Assembly called on the Lagos State Government and national security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and speed up the safe return of the abducted children to their families. Members described the frequent kidnappings as a national emergency that demands stronger collaboration between states, security agencies, and community leaders.
They stressed that the psychological and emotional damage inflicted on children, parents, and entire communities cannot be ignored.
Another incident that drew strong condemnation from lawmakers was the attack inside a church in Kwara State. Members of the Assembly described the act as particularly painful because places of worship—whether churches or mosques—are traditionally considered safe spaces where people should not fear harm.
They noted that such attacks show how criminals are becoming bolder and more desperate, choosing targets that cause maximum fear among citizens.
The lawmakers said it was unacceptable that Nigerians now live in fear even in spaces meant for peace, prayer, and community gathering.
In response to the series of violent incidents across the country, the Lagos State House of Assembly resolved to formally communicate its worries to both the Lagos State Government and military authorities. The legislators urged them to take more decisive steps to address the growing security crisis.
They highlighted that insecurity threatens not just lives but also economic growth, education, healthcare development, and investments like the newly passed medical university bill. Members warned that without peace and stability, even the best policies may fail to produce lasting results.
Speaker Obasa said the Assembly’s message will reflect the fear and frustration that many Nigerians currently feel, stressing that leaders must treat the security situation as a priority.
While the passage of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences Bill is a major achievement for Lagos State, the concerns raised by lawmakers show how deeply insecurity has affected every aspect of national life.
The new university, once established, may contribute to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system, but lawmakers argue that a stable and secure environment is essential for such progress to be sustained. They warned that continued violence, kidnappings, and attacks could discourage medical professionals, researchers, and students from contributing fully to the country’s development.
