FG to Build 168-Room Hostel for UNILAG Medical Students to Boost Healthcare Workforce in Nigeria
The Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), has announced plans to construct a 168-room ultra-modern hostel for medical students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). This initiative is designed to improve student accommodation, enhance learning, and support Nigeria’s goal of producing more doctors and nurses annually.
The project, located inside the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, will be the first of its kind at UNILAG, providing modern, self-contained rooms for students.
Modern Infrastructure to Solve Student Accommodation Challenges
The CEO of Colton Construction Limited, Dr. Anthony Ajulo, who is leading the project, explained that each room will house two students across three floors, offering comfort and convenience close to the hospital.
“This is a modern, ultra-modern student hostel. It is going to help achieve the goal of producing 1,000 doctors per year at UNILAG.” – Dr. Anthony Ajulo
With a construction timeline of 24 months, the hostel will ensure that student accommodation no longer limits the enrolment of future medical professionals in Lagos.
Addressing Brain Drain and Expanding Healthcare Workforce
The Principal Partner of Colton Construction Limited, Dr. Collins Balogun, highlighted that this project aligns with the Federal Government’s objective of increasing the number of medical doctors in Nigeria to combat brain drain.
The government aims for universities to produce a minimum of 20,000 medical doctors every year. Improved infrastructure, such as modern hostels near teaching hospitals, is critical to achieving this target.
Why This Benefits Nigeria and Students
For students, the hostel provides:
Safe, comfortable, and modern living spaces
Proximity to clinical training at LUTH
Reduced stress related to housing and commuting
For the country, it means:
Increased number of trained doctors and healthcare workers
Strengthened healthcare system to meet population needs
Long-term solutions to brain drain and skill shortages
Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunshola, emphasized the importance of infrastructure in training healthcare personnel:
“You cannot train healthcare personnel without them having a hostel close to a hospital. Improved infrastructure ensures we can train more doctors to meet national needs.”
The construction of the 168-room hostel at UNILAG is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s healthcare future. By providing students with modern accommodation and supporting increased medical training, this initiative will help the country produce more doctors, tackle brain drains and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
