The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has commissioned a state-of-the-art Dermatology Centre at its Harvey Road Annex in Yaba, Lagos, marking a historic milestone as Nigeria’s first purpose-built dermatology facility.
The three-storey Centre, fully funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to expand access to quality healthcare through modern infrastructure and capacity development.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, FAS, expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government for its commitment to strengthening tertiary healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
“This Dermatology Centre is a three-floor, state-of-the-art facility, the first of its kind in Nigeria,” Prof. Adeyemo said. “The project was fully funded by the Federal Government as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand investment in healthcare infrastructure nationwide.”
He described the facility as a comprehensive service hub integrating clinical care, training, and research, enabling specialists to deliver world-class dermatological and rheumatological services.
Prof. Adeyemo also acknowledged the contribution of Professor Chris Bode, former CMD of LUTH, who first challenged him to actualize the construction of the Dermatology Centre.
He further appreciated the hospital community for their resilience and collective effort toward the success of the project, describing the new facility as “a centre like no other.”
The CMD also revealed that the Centre would have been named after Emerita Professor Yetunde Mercy Olumide, in recognition of her mentorship and contributions to medicine and dermatology in Nigeria, but for the complexity of naming a federal facility after an individual.
“This facility stands as a tribute to her life’s work,” he added.
Prof. Adeyemo emphasized sustainability, noting that the building runs on a 45-kilowatt solar power system (15 kW per floor), part of LUTH’s broader commitment to energy efficiency and maintenance culture.
“Every new project in LUTH now includes solar power. It’s part of our plan to ensure uninterrupted service delivery while promoting a greener, cost-effective hospital environment,” he stated.
The Guest of Honour, Emerita Professor Yetunde Mercy Olumide, expressed deep emotion and gratitude, recalling her decades of service in LUTH’s dermatology unit and describing the new facility as “a dream fulfilled.”
“I must say I am absolutely overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “At my age, 82 years old, I worked in this facility several decades ago when we used the old, decrepit building. Yet we continued to serve faithfully, not knowing that one day the Federal Government would provide a facility so befitting.”
Prof. Olumide thanked God for the grace to witness the transformation, noting that the new facility will encourage trainees to remain in Nigeria rather than seek opportunities abroad.
“The ambience of a facility contributes to healing. I know our patients will now receive care in an environment that uplifts them. Today is truly one of the happiest days of my life.”
She commended LUTH Management for their foresight and urged continued maintenance.
“It is one thing to construct a building and another to maintain it. This Centre will serve for patient care, teaching, and research. My prayer is that everyone involved in patient care, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others, will find joy and satisfaction serving here.”
Delivering the guest lecture, Professor Adebola Ogunbiyi, Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the growing burden of skin diseases in Nigeria and the need for greater public awareness.
“Dermatology is a very important aspect of medicine — the skin is the largest organ, yet often neglected,” she said. “Skin disorders have a profound impact on quality of life, and many people in Nigeria suffer needlessly because of poor awareness, inadequate access to care, and stigmatization.”
Prof. Ogunbiyi commended LUTH Management and the Federal Government for establishing a modern, well-equipped centre that will advance training, research, and clinical care across all aspects of dermatology — medical, surgical, cosmetic, and teledermatology.
“This Centre allows dermatologists to practice comprehensively in one location. It will serve as a model for other institutions and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manage skin diseases locally.”
She also called for inclusion of dermatological care in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make treatment more affordable.
In her remarks the Head of Dermatology Unit, Professor Olusola Ayanlowo, appreciated the Hospital Management led by Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, FAS, for the completion of the new Centre.
“I thank the CMD personally for keeping his promise. This Centre will make a remarkable contribution to healthcare service delivery in Nigeria,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head of Department of Medicine, Professor Aman Mbakwe, described the day as “a good day for the entire LUTH community.”
“I am happy that the CMD and his team not only planned this project but have actualized it. I also appreciate the resilience of the Nigerian worker. This Centre will become a national reference point for dermatological care,” she said.
The newly commissioned LUTH Dermatology Centre will serve as a national hub for clinical care, training, and research in skin diseases. It also features lecture halls, seminar rooms, and solar-powered systems, reinforcing LUTH’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by members of the hospital management, senior consultants, government representatives, and guests from the University of Lagos and the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL).
With this development, LUTH continues to strengthen its leadership in tertiary healthcare, setting a new benchmark for dermatology practice, training, and research in Nigeria.
