The Lagos State Government has completed the renovation and expansion of the former CACOVID Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, converting the once underutilised COVID-19 isolation facility into infrastructure for medical education and training.
The facility was formally handed over to the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) at a ceremony attended by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; LASUCOM Provost, Prof. Olufemi Idowu; Medical Director, Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Dr Adedeji Olusola; and Director, Project Monitoring Unit, Dr Olusola Oduwoye, among other officials and stakeholders.
The project was supervised by the Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), which said the intervention formed part of the state government’s strategy to maximise existing public infrastructure while permanent facilities are being developed.
Speaking on behalf of the LASIAMA General Manager, Engr. Yemisi Aderibigbe, the Head of the Agency’s Project Management Unit said the CACOVID Centre was originally constructed in 2019 as an isolation facility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but became underutilised after the crisis.
She explained that the decision to rehabilitate the centre was linked to the state government’s plan to transform LASUCOM into a full-fledged University of Medicine and Health Sciences while significantly increasing its student population.
According to her, the planned expansion of LASUCOM’s intake from about 500 to 2,500 students by 2028 created an urgent need for additional infrastructure as work continues on the institution’s permanent campus.
She said the CACOVID Centre was therefore identified as a suitable facility that could be repurposed to provide an immediate infrastructure solution for the expanding medical programme.
Aderibigbe disclosed that the state government approved the renovation and expansion project in December 2024 and awarded it to PCP Construction Nigeria Limited.
The project involved demolition and site works, construction of substructures and structural frames, roofing, walling, joinery, aluminium and metal works, fittings and finishes, as well as comprehensive mechanical and electrical installations for the main and ancillary buildings.
The contractor commenced work in March 2025 and completed the project under LASIAMA’s supervision.
Aderibigbe said the completed facility met the approved standards and quality requirements, making it ready for formal handover and use by the Ministry of Health and LASUCOM.
She said the project demonstrated the state government’s commitment to repurposing existing public assets to address emerging needs in critical sectors, particularly healthcare and medical education.
“Today, we are therefore formally handing over this facility to the end users, the Ministry of Health and the Lagos State University College of Medicine for optimal use,” she said.
She commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to health and education infrastructure and acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of Health, LASUCOM and the project contractor to the successful completion of the project.
The handover is expected to strengthen infrastructure capacity for medical education in Lagos while ensuring that existing public facilities are effectively utilised to meet emerging needs in the state’s healthcare sector.
