The Lagos State Government has officially unveiled plans to reconstruct and upgrade the historic Randle General Hospital in Surulere into a four-floor ultramodern medical facility equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies and patient-centred infrastructure.
This disclosure was made during a stakeholders and community engagement session held at the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital, Surulere, where senior health officials, community leaders, and residents were briefed on the project’s scope, community impact, and interim service delivery arrangements.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in her keynote address emphasised that the initiative represents “a total transformation, not just a renovation,” that is aimed at restoring Randle’s legacy as one of Lagos State’s foremost secondary healthcare centres. She explained that the hospital’s current structure had aged beyond repair and was inadequate for the growing health demands of Surulere’s population.
Dr Ogunyemi also commended the philanthropic intervention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, whose sponsorship of the project, alongside his previous donation of the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital, reflects his unwavering commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the wellbeing of his constituents. She assured residents that essential healthcare services would remain uninterrupted, with care temporarily provided at the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital and the Maternal and Child Centre during the reconstruction phase.
The new Randle facility will feature: Accident and emergency services, modern surgical theatres, advanced diagnostic laboratories, general and VIP wards, staff lounges, and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment including CT and MRI machines. According to Ogunyemi, the redevelopment has been carefully designed to preserve patient dignity, ensure efficient service delivery, and enhance staff working conditions.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, described the project as “a great step forward” for Surulere, emphasizing the importance of sustained community engagement to avoid misinformation and foster collective ownership.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, highlighted the initiative as a defining moment for Surulere and the state’s health system, calling it both “an investment in health and in the future.” He appealed for residents’ patience and cooperation during the transition period, while stressing that healthcare delivery would not be halted.
Similarly, the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Hon. Sulaimon Yusuf, represented by his Vice Chairman, described the reconstruction as a renewal of Randle’s legacy and a clear fulfilment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s promise that no community would be left behind.
Presenting the facility layout, the Director of the Medical Project Implementation Unit, Dr Olusoga Oduwole, noted that the hospital would include consultation rooms, male and female wards, physiotherapy units, modern theatres, laboratories, and upgraded hospital furniture. He described the design as one that will deliver a patient-centred experience consistent with international standards.
The Medical Director of Randle General Hospital, Dr Olumide Sojinrin, expressed optimism, stating that the project would mark “a new chapter” in the hospital’s history. He reminded stakeholders that Randle had served the Surulere community since the 1960s and affirmed that this redevelopment would ensure its continued relevance for future generations.
While construction is ongoing, some departments including dental services, radiology, physiotherapy, the chest clinic, and the Heart-to-Heart Clinic will remain functional, while others will temporarily relocate to the Maternal and Child Centre.
Stakeholders at the conference have pledged their full cooperation, describing the redevelopment as a milestone in Surulere’s healthcare journey and a model of how government–community–philanthropy partnerships can strengthen Nigeria’s health system.
