Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called for stakeholders in the medical profession to innovate and be at the forefront of the evolution of medical training in the country.

He emphasised that medical education must evolve from being a system of instruction into a culture of inspiration, one that nurtures competence, compassion, and courage.

Fashola made the call at the maiden convocation ceremony of Eko University Of Medicine And Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED), Ijanikin, Lagos.

Delivering the convocation lecture titled ‘Medical Education In Nigeria: Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow – Building The Pillars Of a Healthier Future’, the former Lagos State governor said with the trend in medical practices globally, tomorrow’s doctors would not just cure illnesses, but will design health systems, predict epidemics, and engineer longevity.

The former Lagos State governor, who first assented to the establishment of the university during his tenure, said the classroom of the future will not have walls, but will be a network of smart learning ecosystems.

Fashola pointed out that medical education must be anchored on values, vision, and versatility, producing healers who combine scientific precision with moral conviction, and technological mastery with human empathy.

He said the government must establish a medical education endowment fund that is supported by government, alumni, and private stakeholders to sustain research, infrastructure, and scholarships.

He also called for the creation of health innovation hubs that would connect EkoUNIMED, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), and the Ministry of Health in collaborative research, biotechnology, and policy development.

Fashola said the government must ensure access and inclusion through targeted scholarships, merit-based loans, and mentorship for disadvantaged but brilliant students, adding that the state must promote public-private partnerships to enable technology firms and pharmaceutical industries to collaborate with universities on applied research.

He added that the state must also integrate education with policies that align training with state health priorities in preventive medicine, emergency care, and rural health delivery.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the event, said the state is expanding training access and support in tertiary institutions not just for doctors but all medical personnel across the state.

Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, pledged to continue to promote, partner and support the university in the cause of advancing medical education.

To this end, the governor said the state government is establishing a state University of Medicine and Health Sciences with campuses in the five divisions of the state. He added that admission of students will take off later this year.

Founder and Proprietor, EkoUNIMED, Dr. Hammed Ayodele Ibraheem, who first envisioned the idea over two decades ago, said setting up the university was borne out of his desire to give back to the community.

Ibraheem, a foremost medical expert, said the institution was the first medical university to be licensed in Nigeria having obtained a licence for the University along with PAMO University of Health Sciences, Rivers State in December, 2017.

Vice Chancellor, EkoUNIMED, Prof. Gbadebo Awosanya, said the occasion is a clear affirmation that a vision, once nurtured with commitment, sacrifice, and faith, has indeed become a lasting reality.

He described the graduates as pioneers who have been trained not just to earn degrees, but to uphold the highest ideals of medical practice.

Pro-Chancellor, EkoUNIMED Governing Council, Dr. Tajudeen Ayodele Kekere-Ekun, lauded the progress the university has made since its creation. He said the 27 doctors have been inducted into the medical profession by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and with some already engaged as medical house officers in some health facilities.

At the event, the institution conferred fellowship award on Fashola, Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Lagos State, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, and Former, Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Akinbode Samuel Agbaoye.

The best graduating student, Adejumoke Eunice Adenuga, received N500, 000 reward and a plot of land from a royal father at the event.