NEWS
Lagos Accelerates Healthcare Infrastructure Drive as Ojo Hospital Nears Completion, Somolu Specialist Centre Takes Shape
The Lagos State Government has stepped up its supervision of major healthcare infrastructure projects across the state as construction advances on two major medical facilities in Ojo and Somolu, with the projects expected to significantly expand access to modern and specialised healthcare services.
The 280-bed Ojo General Hospital has reached approximately 85 per cent completion and is entering its final finishing stage, while work on the new 180-bed Somolu General Hospital is gathering momentum with the facility designed to serve as a specialised centre for head and neck-related medical services.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed the development during an inspection tour of both projects on Friday, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. (Engr.) Adekunle Olayinka.
At Ojo, Abayomi said the project had progressed substantially, with the state government now intensifying monitoring to ensure that the remaining works are delivered to the required quality standards. The hospital is expected to be ready for commissioning by the end of 2026 or during the first quarter of 2027.
The facility has entered its finishing phase, while high-tech medical equipment and furniture have already been ordered in preparation for its eventual commissioning and commencement of operations.
The Commissioner explained that inspection visits would become more frequent as the project approaches completion, allowing the government to promptly identify and address any outstanding issues that could affect the delivery of the hospital.
The inspection team also proceeded to Somolu, where the foundation works for the new seven-floor, 180-bed multi-specialist hospital are underway. The project has attained about 15 per cent completion.
The new hospital is being constructed on the former Somolu Local Government headquarters site following the relocation of the council administration to another facility.
Abayomi said the decision to construct an entirely new hospital was informed by the enormous population served by the existing Somolu General Hospital and the limitations of its current 60-bed capacity.
While construction continues, the existing Somolu General Hospital will remain operational, ensuring that residents continue to receive uninterrupted clinical services.
Beyond expanding capacity, the new Somolu facility is being positioned as a major specialised healthcare hub. It is planned as a Head and Neck Super-Specialty Centre, with services covering Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology and Dentistry, alongside core medical disciplines including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The specialisation strategy forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader plan to transform its general hospitals into centres of excellence with designated super-specialties. The approach is expected to improve access to advanced medical care and reduce the number of residents who travel outside Lagos or the country in search of specialised treatment.
The scale of demand further underscores the importance of the Somolu project. About 107,000 registered patients currently access services at the existing facility, while the wider catchment population is estimated at between five and 10 million people.
The new generation of hospitals is also being designed with sustainability and modern healthcare standards in mind. The facilities are incorporating renewable energy systems, low-carbon technologies, water catchment and sewage management solutions, as well as improved patient and staff circulation and stronger infection prevention and control measures.
These features are expected to make the hospitals more energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable and safer for patients, medical personnel and other users.
Olayinka, who also inspected the projects, confirmed the reported 85 per cent completion level at Ojo. He said the government’s quality assurance and control teams had identified a number of minor areas requiring correction, which had already been communicated to the contractor.
He further disclosed that the solar power installation at the Ojo hospital met the required specifications and would provide a critical alternative source of electricity when the facility becomes operational.
At Somolu, Olayinka said the project had overcome some initial challenges that affected its early progress and was now advancing following the resolution of the identified issues.
The Somolu hospital is projected for completion by the third quarter of 2027 and will feature modern engineering systems, green technologies, carbon-reduction measures and solar power.
With the two projects progressing simultaneously, the Lagos State Government is positioning the expansion of healthcare infrastructure as a key component of its development agenda, combining increased bed capacity with specialised medical services, modern technology and sustainable hospital design.
When completed, the Ojo and Somolu facilities are expected to strengthen healthcare delivery in their respective areas while contributing to Lagos’ wider ambition of providing residents with access to high-qua
lity medical services closer to home.