The Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) has inducted 77 medical doctors and 10 dentists into the medical profession, with a strong appeal for them to resist the urge to leave the country for foreign opportunities.
Speaking during the induction ceremony on Tuesday, the Provost of the College, Professor Olufemi Idowu, commended the new doctors for their dedication throughout years of intense training. He reminded them that medicine goes beyond science, urging them to practise with compassion and humanity.
“We celebrate a journey that began with hope. You have spent years in the classroom and laboratories. To parents, we appreciate your sacrifices and prayers. Your stethoscope is more than a medical instrument. Let your knowledge be guided by humanity and compassion,” he said.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Adeniran Kasali, cautioned the inductees against seeking better opportunities abroad, stressing that their education was a product of collective investment.
“Every doctor and dentist being inducted reflects our investments in healthcare delivery. The government is committed to improving LASUCOM’s infrastructure. The temptation to leave the country for foreign lands is understandable, but reflect on the resources your family and Lagos State have spent on your training.
You are the returns on our investment, so shun the temptation to leave.
“The challenges are real, so also the need to help your nation. The state is working hard to improve the welfare of its health workers. We value you. Be compassionate. Lagos State awaits your service,” the commissioner said.
Nigeria’s health sector continues to grapple with a shortage of doctors as many professionals migrate abroad for better pay and working conditions — a situation widely described as the “Japa Syndrome.”
Reinforcing the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health system, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, said Lagos is expanding its facilities and training capacity.
“We are set to start producing a lot of you. We need to produce a lot of you; we have expanded LASUCOM, and we are building health facilities. Lagos is set to become the number one destination for medical professionals,” Abayomi said.
Also addressing the inductees, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by Professor Adenike Boyo, encouraged them to serve the nation rather than chase opportunities abroad.
“The idea of staying back home might not be appealing, but I urge you not to hasten to look for greener pastures. Your country also needs you. You have been trained at one of the best colleges of medicine in Nigeria, so you have no excuse not to succeed,” she said.
Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo Fabanwo, represented by Professor Adebowale Adekoya, reminded the inductees that empathy and respect remain at the heart of medical practice.
“When you are treating patients, you have to show empathy, communicate with them, and document everything you are doing. Respect your colleagues. You are going to the world, do the best you can to help the country,” he advised.
The ceremony marked a milestone for the inductees, symbolising not just the completion of their medical training but a renewed call to serve and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
