Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening private sector participation in healthcare delivery, describing it as a critical pillar for achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Speaking at the commissioning of Avon Medical’s ultramodern health facility in Lagos on Monday, Sanwo-Olu declared that the state’s vision for quality and accessible healthcare cannot be attained without the active involvement of private stakeholders.
He called on investors to treat healthcare not merely as a business venture but as a patriotic and moral duty to the nation.
“In 16 years, Dr. Awele Elumelu did not sit back to say, ‘I’m comfortable.’ She decided to do something with her profession, her time, and her resources. Avon Medical has put its name in the sand of time—not only in Lagos, but in Nigeria,” the governor said, praising the founder of Avon Medical.
Sanwo-Olu added, “It has given us the challenge to say that never again will we allow other people to come and tell us, in the event of a global pandemic, how to be. The state must build and retain its healthcare resilience.”
The governor lauded Avon Medical’s state-of-the-art facility, which includes a 50-bed capacity, diagnostic services, and maternal and neonatal care. “They deserve another round of applause,” he added.
He further announced that his government is constructing Africa’s largest mental health facility in Ketu-Ejirin and has successfully commissioned several mother and child hospitals across Lagos. “In Ketu-Ejirin, we’re building the largest mental health facility in Sub-Saharan Africa that will cater to over 1,000 patients,” he revealed.
The governor reassured Lagosians of continued prioritisation of healthcare in the state’s annual fiscal plan. “We will ensure that not less than 8 to 10 percent of our annual budget goes into healthcare. Health is wealth,” he affirmed.
Addressing the growing exodus of health professionals, he made a passionate plea: “It’s tough sometimes, but don’t give up on us. Japa is not the solution—here is the solution. Let us build our own health institutions and reverse the over $2 billion we spend annually on medical tourism.”
Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Medical, said the new hospital reflects Heirs Holdings’ Africapitalism philosophy—driven by the need to bridge the gap in healthcare availability and affordability. “We saw overburdened hospitals, doctors stretched thin, people frustrated at not getting care in time — and we couldn’t look away,” she stated.
“That single decision gave birth to Avon Medical and our health insurance company, Avon HMO,” she added.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), as well as Health Minister Ali Pate—represented by LUTH CMD, Wasiu Adeyemo—were also in attendance at the unveiling ceremony.
Sanwo-Olu closed by challenging investment bankers and financiers to diversify their portfolios into medical infrastructure: “It’s not everything that should go into tech or real estate. Let medical real estate be your legacy. When you grow old, let there be a facility you built where you want to be treated.”
