How Lagos Is Expanding Access to World-Class Healthcare with Two New Hospitals
The Lagos State Government is stepping up efforts to deliver world-class healthcare infrastructure, with the new 280-bed Ojo General Hospital now about 85 per cent complete and on course for commissioning by the end of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027.
At the same time, work is gathering pace on a new 180-bed General Hospital in Somolu, which will serve as Lagos' first dedicated Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre when completed.
These two medical facilities also comes along with the New Massey Children Hospital which is as well ongoing in efforts to upgrade the healthcare infrastructure in the State.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made the disclosure during an inspection of both projects alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, as the state intensified monitoring of critical health infrastructure.
Ojo Hospital Enters Final Phase
According to Abayomi, construction at Ojo General Hospital has reached the finishing stage, with major civil works almost completed. He revealed that high-tech medical equipment and hospital furniture have already been ordered, while inspection visits will become more frequent to ensure the project meets the highest standards before delivery.
"We are at the point where we're doing the finishing touches. We've ordered high-tech equipment. We've ordered the furniture," he said.
The commissioner explained that the government is resolving a few outstanding issues before handing over what is expected to become one of the state's most modern healthcare facilities.
Somolu to Become a Centre for Advanced Care
While Ojo is nearing completion, the foundation of the new seven-storey, 180-bed Somolu General Hospital is steadily taking shape, with construction currently at about 15 per cent.
The new hospital is being built on the site of the former Somolu Local Government Secretariat following the relocation of the council administration.
Abayomi said the decision to construct an entirely new hospital instead of expanding the existing 60-bed facility was informed by the area's growing population and increasing healthcare needs.
Importantly, the current Somolu General Hospital will continue providing medical services throughout the construction period, ensuring residents are not deprived of healthcare.
Once the new hospital becomes operational, the existing facility will be demolished to create additional parking space and support services.
A New Specialist Hospital for Lagos
Beyond increasing bed capacity, the new Somolu hospital is being designed as a specialised Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre.
According to the Commissioner for Health, the facility will provide advanced treatment in:
l Plastic Surgery
l Maxillofacial Surgery
l Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
l Ophthalmology
l Dentistry
It will also continue to offer core medical services, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
According to Abayomi, the project forms part of Lagos State's long-term plan to transform its general hospitals into specialised centres of excellence capable of delivering highly advanced medical care.
He noted that the strategy is aimed at reducing the need for residents to travel abroad for specialised treatment.
"Over the next five to ten years, we believe that every kind of medical intervention will be available in Lagos in both the public and the private sector, so that outbound medical tourism will stop, and in fact, it will reverse," he said.
Green, Smart and Sustainable Hospitals
The commissioner also revealed that the state's new hospital projects are being built with sustainability in mind.
The facilities will feature renewable energy systems, solar power, low-carbon technologies, improved patient movement, efficient water management, sewage treatment systems and stronger infection prevention measures.
These features are expected to make the hospitals safer, more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Serving Millions of Residents
Abayomi disclosed that the existing Somolu General Hospital currently serves about 107,000 registered patients, while its wider catchment population is estimated at between five and 10 million people.
The figures, he said, justify the need for a significantly larger and more modern healthcare facility.
Quality Checks Continue
Speaking during the inspection, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, confirmed that Ojo General Hospital has indeed reached about 85 per cent completion.
He said government quality assurance teams had identified only minor issues requiring correction and expressed confidence that the contractor would address them promptly.
Olayinka also confirmed that the hospital's solar power installation met government specifications and would provide reliable alternative electricity when the facility begins operation.
For the Somolu project, he noted that initial construction challenges had been resolved and work is now progressing steadily, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2027.
Building the Future of Healthcare
The inspection was attended by officials from the Ministry of Health's Medical Project Implementation Unit, the Office of Works, management of Somolu General Hospital, contractors and technical consultants.
The latest inspection reflects Lagos State's continued investment in expanding healthcare infrastructure as part of broader reforms that also include healthcare financing, compulsory health insurance and plans to establish a University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
With both projects advancing, the state is positioning itself to deliver more specialised healthcare services closer to home while strengthening its ambition to become a leading medical destination in West Africa.
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