The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, says the transition of the Lagos State College of Health Technology to a polytechnic will create more opportunities for Nigerian professionals.

He said this on Thursday at the 2026 Management Retreat of the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Lekki, Lagos State.

The two-day event had the theme “Unlocking the Strategies and Structure for Actualising Sustainable Development for Lagos State College of Health Technology.”

Mr Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Adeniran Kasali, said that the transition would open up opportunities for staff, students, the state and Nigerians.

He said that the House of Representatives had passed the bill, adding that the institution was awaiting the governor’s consent to proceed with the transition.

“The transition will create more opportunities for staff and students while benefiting Lagos State and the country at large,” he said.

Mr Sule said that the transition would require changes in capacity building, staff development and orientation to prepare employees for the institution’s new status.

He said that capacity building involved competency development, skills, knowledge and attitude, urging staff to work together and develop strategic institutional objectives.

He also urged the institution to strengthen its consultancy services and develop short programmes for the health sector to improve sustainability and generate more revenue.

In her Keynote speech, Chief Executive Officer, African Business Coalition for Health, Mories Atoki, urged the college to strengthen governance, workforce development and financial sustainability.

Ms Atoki said that sustainable development required deliberate efforts to remain relevant, noting that the institution’s staff and resources were critical to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

She said that the college must align its academic programmes with healthcare needs, strengthen its workforce and equip graduates with relevant skills to improve health outcomes.

“Your people are your assets. Your people are your resources, and what you agree with and impact on them is critical to how that is extended to the entire generation of healthcare,” she said.

Ms Atoki urged the college to review its curriculum regularly to reflect changing healthcare demands and ensure graduates met professional standards.

She also advised the management to strengthen consultancy services, develop short training programmes for the health sector and explore partnerships, grants and other funding opportunities to improve financial sustainability.

Ms Atoki urged the college to invest in digital infrastructure, applied research and effective governance, adding that management should establish measurable targets and take responsibility for implementing strategies to ensure the institution’s long-term development.

Mr Kasali, responding to Ms Atoki’s remarks, said the retreat should produce key deliverables to strengthen institutional sustainability.

He said that the college should invest in digital infrastructure, applied research, staff capacity building and partnerships to improve healthcare delivery and financial independence.

“Sustainable development is about institutional development. It starts with you, with all of us here,” Mr Kasali said.

The Provost of Lagos State College of Health Technology, Raheem Akewushola, said the retreat would strengthen the institution ahead of its transition from a monotechnic to a polytechnic.

He said that the retreat would provide an opportunity to reflect, evaluate progress, identify challenges and determine strategic directions to guide the college towards greater achievements.

Mr Akewushola said that the government had approved the institution’s transition from a monotechnic to a polytechnic, adding that the development raised questions about its long-term financial sustainability.

“This sustainable development is not the responsibility of the provost alone, nor can it be achieved by a single department or individual.

“It requires collective ownership, shared commitments and common understanding of our institutional goals,” he said.

The event featured the presentation of plaques to both Sule and Atoki in recognition of their support for the college.

(NAN)