LAGOS/Nigeria: The College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), has called for a shift towards health-system-focused medical training, arguing that Nigeria’s ambition to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all depends on the competence and adaptability of its health professionals.
The call was made at the ninth Felix Dosekun Memorial Lecture, held in Lagos on Thursday as part of activities marking the grand finale of the college’s 2026 Week.
Speaking at the event, the Provost, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, said Universal Health Coverage (UHC) could only become a reality if investments in healthcare were matched by the availability of properly trained professionals capable of delivering quality services.
The lecture, themed “Quality Medical Education as a Pillar for Achieving Universal Health Coverage”, examined the relationship between medical training, healthcare delivery and the country’s ability to meet the health needs of its population.
Oremosu said medical schools must continually review their training programmes to respond to emerging diseases, non-communicable illnesses, maternal and child health concerns and persistent weaknesses in primary healthcare.
He explained that UHC was intended to ensure that everyone could obtain the healthcare services they needed without suffering financial hardship, adding that achieving this objective required a workforce equipped to translate healthcare investments into improved outcomes.
The Provost also highlighted the contribution of the Felix Dosekun Memorial Lecture to discussions on medical education and public policy, noting that its communiqués had informed curriculum reviews and contributed to national conversations on healthcare development.
Delivering the lecture, Prof. Francis Faduyile, a guest speaker and Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, argued that the standard of healthcare delivery was closely linked to the quality of professionals produced by medical institutions.
He urged medical schools to move beyond a doctor-centred approach and adopt a broader training model that prepares graduates for the practical demands of the entire health system.
Under this approach, he said, medical education should develop not only clinical expertise but also public health knowledge, leadership, communication and technological skills.
Faduyile further called for stronger exposure to community health services, primary healthcare facilities, disease prevention and research, stressing that students needed to understand the conditions in which many Nigerians seek medical attention beyond major hospitals.
He also advocated the integration of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, electronic medical records, digital health services and health-data analytics into medical training.
“We must train doctors not merely for the healthcare system we inherited, but for the healthcare system our population will need tomorrow,” he said.
The senator described investment in medical education as essential to Nigeria’s long-term health security and urged governments, universities and other stakeholders to work together to produce professionals who are competent, compassionate and able to adapt to changing demands.
The discussion also turned to the challenges facing Nigeria’s health workforce, particularly the departure of medical professionals for opportunities abroad.
Prof. Udoka Okafor, chairman of publicity for the event and chairman of the College of Medicine Alumni Association, called for greater investment in medical education and healthcare infrastructure to improve the quality and accessibility of services.
He expressed concern over the loss of skilled personnel to overseas institutions, identifying insecurity, economic difficulties and inadequate facilities as issues requiring attention.
Okafor encouraged young professionals who travel abroad to acquire additional skills and experience that could benefit Nigeria. He also urged them to consider contributing to healthcare development at home, particularly in underserved rural communities.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Akin Osibogun, an alumnus of the college and former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, praised the institution for its contribution to medical training and the development of professionals who have served in different capacities.
The event also featured awards recognising individuals who had served the College of Medicine for 35 years or longer, in acknowledgement of their contributions to the institution.
