The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the Joint Committee on Education (Tertiary Institutions) and Health Services on the University of Medicine and Health Sciences Bill, 2024, marking a significant step toward strengthening healthcare delivery and improving tertiary medical education within the state.
The report was presented in plenary by Hon. Owolabi Ajani, chairman of the House Committee on Education (Tertiary Institutions) and co-chair of the joint committee. Ajani said the committee’s review uncovered several sections of the bill that require clearer definitions to eliminate ambiguity, particularly provisions related to governance, administrative duties, and academic oversight.
During the review process, the committee benchmarked the bill against governance models used by existing medical institutions across Nigeria to ensure alignment with national best practices. The committee also identified some provisions that duplicated provisions already contained in current Lagos State laws, warning that such overlaps could cause legal conflicts if not harmonised.
Recommendations for Clarity and Harmonisation
To address the issues, the committee recommended a targeted restructuring and rephrasing of specific clauses to improve legal precision. It proposed removing sections already covered under current state statutes and urged clearer, tighter definitions to prevent misinterpretation.
Central to the committee’s advice was the need for a well-defined administrative structure. The report called for explicit delineation of the Governing Council’s composition, roles, and powers, and for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Tertiary Education and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure coordinated implementation.
Unanimous Adoption and Next Steps
After deliberation, members of the House unanimously adopted the committee’s report, making its recommendations the official resolution of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Lawmakers said the adoption advances the state’s effort to establish a medical university equipped to produce the health professionals Lagos needs.
The next phase will involve integrating the committee’s suggested changes into the bill and ensuring the final draft is fully harmonised with existing legal frameworks before subsequent readings.