The Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED), Ijanikin, Lagos, will on Thursday, January 29, graduate its pioneer set of students across various fields.
A total of 27 students will be awarded degrees at the institution’s first convocation ceremony, which will feature former Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, as the convocation lecturer.
Fashola, who will also receive an honorary Fellowship Award of the university alongside two other eminent Nigerians — Mr Bolaji Kayode, Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Mr Akinbode Agbaoye, a retired Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration) of the National Universities Commission (NUC) — will deliver a lecture titled “Medical Education: Yesterday, Today and in the Future.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Gbadebo Akinsanya, disclosed this on Monday during a pre-convocation press conference attended by other principal officers of the institution.
Akinsanya expressed satisfaction with the graduation of the first set of students after six years of study and commended the founder of the university, Dr Hammed Ibraheem, for establishing the institution and for his continued support towards its growth and development.
He also praised the university’s management and staff for their dedication and acknowledged the Lagos State Government for its partnership and support in the practical training of the students.
Describing EkoUNIMED as Nigeria’s first private medical university licensed by the NUC, the vice-chancellor added that the nine-year-old institution, with a current student population of over 500, is listed in the Directory of World Medical Schools.
Akinsanya, while noting that medical education, particularly in nursing and dentistry is expensive globally, said EkoUNIMED remains committed to advancing medical research, promoting public health, and producing doctors who will not only treat illnesses but also contribute to policy innovation and preventive care.
He stated that the graduating students, who have already been inducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), are well trained and can compete with their peers from world-class medical schools.
He added that the university will place increased focus on researching the efficacy of herbs in the prevention and treatment of illnesses in Nigeria and beyond.
