Lagos School of Anaesthetic Studies Holds 6th Graduation

 

DUMO CHIZUBE HOPE

The School of Anaesthetic Studies, Badagry, at its sixth graduation ceremony, conferred diploma awards on graduands, including physician anaesthetists, nurse anaesthetists, and anaesthetic technicians, in the quest to help the State enhance anaesthetic manpower development in modern medicine.

The school birthed the first set of technicians who graduated along with others on post-basic studies at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badagry, on Thursday, 8th of October 2026.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, represented by the Director of Medical Administration, Training & Programmes, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, praised the management for its dedication and commitment to the vision of the school in training the sophisticated manpower needed for the state. He stated that the feat was a breakthrough in the series of interventions attained simultaneously in the health sector and promised that the State Government would continue to raise the bar in ensuring safer healthcare for Lagosians and others.

“This is an enduring legacy left behind for mankind by a Visionary. So, as graduates of varying categories, the charge is for you to distinguish yourselves by making a positive difference with your callings,” he said.

The Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr. Olukayode Oguntimeyin paid tributes to the pioneer Coordinator of the School, Late Commodore (Dr.) Olaniyi Oladapo, noting that the legacy he bequeathed to the State made him a hero and that his memories would never be forgotten. He commended the management for sustaining the track record in anaesthesia practice in the state.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinator, School of Anaesthetic Studies Badagry, Dr. Abiola Aduke Mafe disclosed that the School was established in 2008 to urgently train internally, and reverse the acute shortage of anaesthetic manpower in medical officers, nurses and technicians. Since then, the school has produced 18 batches of doctors, eight batches of nurses and one batch of technicians that were fully trained. This has yielded a total of 190 doctors, 179 nurses and 52 technicians, including employees of the Health Service Commission and external candidates.

While revealing that the last set of students had eight doctors, 22 nurses and 49 technicians, she stated that the School has secured full accreditation for five years, effective from April 2026, after 18 years of partial accreditation for all its programmes. In addition, she said that the School would undergo the Re-accreditation of the National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria by October 2027.

On the nursing programme, she disclosed that it was fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in August 2021, while the anaesthetic technician programme commenced in 2022 as approved by the Health Service Commission.

On strengthening professionalism, she declared that the school in the last year under her stewardship had produced One Fellow, Eight Physician Diplomates, 22 Nurse Anaesthetists, and 52 Anaesthetic technicians, among others. She also informed that the nursing department currently runs a master’s programme in affiliation with the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), assuring the dignitaries that the legacy of the late Dr. Oladapo lives on.

In his goodwill message, the Medical Director/CEO of General Hospital Badagry, Dr. Oluseyi Adesola, eulogised the Management for its evolving role in developing the anaesthetic manpower. He said their effort must be specially commended for being rare anywhere across the country, and expressed confidence in the graduands he had met in the course of his duties.

Similarly, the Medical Director/CEO of General Hospital Lagos, Dr. Olatunde Bakare, admonished all graduands who are above 40 years to go for eye screening, adding that their work in the theatre requires clear sight to meet up with the commitment and success of checking specifications correctly, which would help them to improve their outcomes at all times.

The Royal Father of the Day, White-Cap Chief, Anthony Ajose, the Fihento and Regent of the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, also urged the graduands to make their presence felt for the sake of humanity by embracing the practice.

Other dignitaries at the event included Dr. Moyosore Adejumo, Commissioner III; Mrs. Adebukola Cole, Director of Nursing Services at the Commission; family members of the late pioneer Coordinator, Mrs. Folashade Oladapo, Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Oladapo, Engr. Wale Oladapo, and the President of the Lagos Anaesthetics Association, Dr. Ogundare, were all well pleased while appreciating the success of the school.