Lagos Health College's Polytechnic Move to Widen Opportunities

The planned conversion of the Lagos State College of Health Technology into a polytechnic will open up new opportunities for staff, students, the state and Nigerian professionals, according to the Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule.

 

Sule spoke on Thursday at the college's 2026 Management Retreat in Lekki, Lagos. He was represented by Mr Adeniran Kasali, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education.

 

The two-day retreat had the theme "Unlocking the Strategies and Structure for Actualising Sustainable Development for Lagos State College of Health Technology."

 

The commissioner said the bill for the transition had been passed by the House of Representatives, and that the institution was now waiting for the governor's consent before the change could go ahead.

 

"The transition will create more opportunities for staff and students while benefiting Lagos State and the country at large," he said.

 

Sule said the new status would require changes in capacity building, staff development and orientation, so that employees are ready for the institution's expanded role. Capacity building, he explained, covers competency development as well as skills, knowledge and attitude.

 

He urged staff to work together and set strategic institutional objectives. He also called on the college to strengthen its consultancy services and develop short programmes for the health sector, as a way to improve its sustainability and earn more revenue.

 

Delivering the keynote, Dr Mories Atoki, Chief Executive Officer of the African Business Coalition for Health, urged the college to strengthen its governance, workforce development and financial sustainability.

 

Atoki said sustainable development required deliberate effort if an institution was to remain relevant, and described the college's staff and resources as critical to Nigeria's healthcare system.

 

"Your people are your assets. Your people are your resources, and what you agree and impact on them is critical to how that is extended to the entire generation of healthcare," she said.

 

She said the college must align its academic programmes with the country's healthcare needs, strengthen its workforce and equip graduates with the skills needed to improve health outcomes. To that end, she urged regular curriculum reviews that reflect changing healthcare demands and ensure graduates meet professional standards.

 

On funding, Atoki advised management to strengthen consultancy services, develop short training programmes for the health sector, and pursue partnerships, grants and other funding sources.

 

She also urged investment in digital infrastructure, applied research and effective governance, and said management should set measurable targets and take responsibility for carrying out its strategies to secure the institution's long-term development.

 

Responding to the keynote, Kasali said the retreat should produce clear deliverables that would strengthen the college's sustainability.

 

He said the college should invest in digital infrastructure, applied research, staff capacity building and partnerships to improve healthcare delivery and become financially independent.

 

"Sustainable development is about institutional development. It starts with you, with all of us here," Kasali said.

 

The Provost of the college, Prof. Raheem Akewushola, said the retreat would strengthen the institution ahead of its move from a monotechnic to a polytechnic.

 

He described it as an opportunity to reflect, evaluate progress, identify challenges and set the strategic direction that would guide the college to greater achievements.

 

Akewushola said the government had approved the institution's transition, adding that the development raised questions about its long-term financial sustainability.

 

"This sustainable development is not the responsibility of the provost alone, nor can it be achieved by a single department or individual.

 

"It requires collective ownership, shared commitments and common understanding of our institutional goals," he said.

 

Plaques were presented to Sule and Atoki at the event in recognition of their support for the college.