Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says the state needs 40,000 more doctors and another 40,000 nurses to meet the healthcare needs of its growing population.
The governor also revealed a ₦100 billion funding gap, warning that declining donor support is putting more pressure on the state’s health system.
Lagos currently has about 7,000 doctors, according to Sanwo-Olu, that number is far below what the state requires and the shortage has placed enormous pressure on healthcare workers, with many doctors handling far more patients than they should.
The Governor made the disclosure on Thursday during the second Eko Health Convention held in Victoria Island, Lagos revealing that the shortage of medical workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing the state’s healthcare sector.
The governor also said Lagos needs at least ₦100 billion more than the current health budget provides. He explained that donor funding, which supported disease control programmes for many years, has reduced sharply. He said the state must now depend more on local funding to improve healthcare services.
Despite the challenges, Sanwo-Olu said the government has stepped up efforts to strengthen the health workforce. He said recruitment is ongoing across all 29 secondary healthcare facilities in the state. The government has also improved the welfare of health workers by providing accommodation and better working conditions. These measures, he said, will help reduce the migration of doctors and nurses while attracting more professionals back to the state.
The governor added that Lagos plans to establish a University of Medicine and Health Sciences. He said the institution will train more doctors, nurses and other health professionals to support the state’s growing population.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the progress of the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme. He said more than 1.5 million Lagos residents have enrolled in the programme. As of the end of May 2026, enrolment stood at 1,502,994, with women making up more than half of the beneficiaries. He added that more people are using the scheme to receive medical treatment, showing that the programme is improving access to healthcare.
The governor said the Lagos State Health Management Agency’s Assistance in Distress programme has saved 18 lives since it started in March. The programme has helped victims of road crashes, pregnancy emergencies, stroke cases and surgical emergencies. According to him, patients receive immediate treatment without first proving they can pay.
He also said the government is using technology to improve healthcare delivery. The Lagos Smart Health Information Platform will allow doctors to access patients’ medical records across public hospitals. The platform will also improve disease monitoring and help the government plan better health services. Sanwo-Olu added that Lagos is investing in artificial intelligence and digital technology to improve diagnosis, medical imaging and healthcare delivery.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to building a stronger healthcare system. He said programmes such as Ilera Eko, the digital health platform and the state’s health districts are designed to continue serving residents long after his administration ends.
