As part of Federal Government’s strategic drive to enhance the quality and capacity of public tertiary education in Nigeria, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday, July 21, 2025, received a (3) three-member delegation from the Ministerial Monitoring Committee overseeing the TETFund 2025 High-Impact Intervention Projects for Medical Colleges.Â
The visit followed the recent approval of a special fund totaling N4 billion for eighteen (18) selected universities across the six geo-political zones of the country. The intervention is part of efforts aimed at strengthening infrastructure and academic resources in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing, with the ultimate goal of doubling admission quotas in these critical health disciplines.
The visiting Committee, led by Professor Sulyman Alabi, included the Director of TETFund Special Intervention, Arc. Erivwo Inene, and Secretary of the Committee, Mrs. Sa’adatu Jimoh, who are members of a 12-man team inaugurated in April 2025 by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON. The delegation was received at the 10th floor of the Senate House by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), Professor Bola Oboh, who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, along with key members of the University’s management team, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Muyiwa Falaiye; representative of the University Librarian, Mrs. Adekanye; Deputy Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Daniel Odebiyi; as well as faculty members from the four targeted disciplines.
While welcoming the delegation to UNILAG, Professor Oboh expressed the University’s readiness to fully align with Federal Government’s directive and TETFund’s implementation strategy. She disclosed that UNILAG had already submitted its proposals as the University remained committed to playing a leading role in advancing medical education and healthcare capacity in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee, Professor Sulyman Alabi outlined the purpose of the visit. He stated that the visit was aimed at ensuring compliance with the guidelines of the TETFund 2025 High-Impact Special Intervention, which mandates participating institutions to submit comprehensive working drawings, bills of quantities, and other essential technical documents as prerequisites for securing Approval-In-Principle for their respective projects.
Professor Alabi further noted that the 12-member High-Impact Monitoring Committee, which he chairs, is also composed of experts drawn from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, as well as other relevant professional bodies within the health sector.
According to him, the Committee is also responsible for conducting needs assessments, packaging proposed projects, and ensuring that they align strategically with national development goals in the health education sector. His words “This intervention is not solely about constructing buildings or upgrading infrastructure. It is fundamentally about ensuring academic relevance, sustainability, and expanding the capacity of our medical institutions to meet the growing healthcare needs of the country.”
The delegation commenced its evaluation with a visit to the TETFund 2025 Presidential Special Intervention Project Building. Thereafter, they inspected various facilities and laboratories within the College of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Throughout the evaluation tour, the committee was accompanied by key management staff of the University including the three Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Professor Bola Oboh (Academic and Research); Professor Foluso Ebun Afolabi Lesi (Development Services) and Professor Muyiwa Falaiye (Management Services); CMUL Deputy Provost, Professor Daniel Odebiyi; College Secretary, Dr. Obafemi Moses; Director of Finance, Dr. S. A. Akinade; and Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Olatubosun Oloyede, Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Abolade Akinwunmi among others.
At the end of the comprehensive audit, the delegation held a briefing session where a positive verdict on the University’s preparedness was delivered.
The Ministerial Monitoring team commended UNILAG for its systematic academic framework, commitment to excellence, and proactive efforts in addressing core deficiencies that affect training and research outcomes in the Medical Sciences.
The team, through its Chairman, described UNILAG’s performance as not only exemplary but also reflective of a robust institutional framework capable of sustaining high-impact educational investments.
While commending the University’s strategic planning, infrastructure readiness, and academic vision, Professor Alabi affirmed that “UNILAG is well-positioned to serve as a national model for the implementation of the TETFund 2025 High-Impact Intervention Projects”.
The delegation also lauded the exceptional leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, noting that her visionary guidance was evident in the strength and coordination of the University’s management team. They particularly acknowledged the commitment of the three Deputy Vice-Chancellors, all of whom were present and actively engaged with the Committee from the start of the day’s assessment. Their collective presence, the team noted, underscored the University’s seriousness and unified approach to maximizing the impact of the intervention.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s broader agenda to scale up healthcare education, increase enrollment capacity, and strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals in Nigeria. An agenda, the University of Lagos is fully prepared to support.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel Dosunmu / Michael Joshua
