Lagos State Government Seals Illegal Nursing College
The Lagos State government has taken decisive action by sealing the Tower College of Health Sciences in Gberigbe, Ikorodu, due to its operation of an illegal nursing program. This move was part of a joint enforcement operation conducted on Thursday, involving multiple agencies and officials.
Joint Enforcement Operation
A team comprising officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Health through the Directorate of Nursing Services (DNS), the Nursing and Midwifery Committee of Lagos State, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwife (NANNM), Lagos State branch, along with members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), carried out the operation. During this effort, the Director of the college, Femi Ajekigbe, was arrested and taken into custody for questioning and further legal action.
Background of the Closure
Mrs. Sola Aketi, the Director of Nursing Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, spoke to journalists following the closure. She explained that the institution had been notified of the imminent closure after an inspection team from the Nursing and Midwifery Committee visited the school on January 20, 2025, to assess its compliance with standards. The inspection uncovered several irregularities.
According to her, the team led by Dr. Oladapo Olawale, alongside Nurse Ilawole, Comrade Ayobami Amusan, and Comrade Idowu Osuntuyi, reported that Tower College of Health Sciences failed to meet basic academic and infrastructural requirements for nursing education. As a result, the institution lacked accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Warnings and Immediate Action
Aketi confirmed that Tower College is just one of many unaccredited institutions operating in Lagos and vowed to extend the clampdown to other illegal nursing schools. She emphasized that the state will no longer condone such dangerous practices.
She stated, “As a result of this closure, the illegal institution will cease all nursing training and educational activities with immediate effect. We have several of these schools across the state, and we will not stop until they are all shut down.”
Findings from the Inspection
Dr. Olawale Oladapo, who led the inspection team on January 20, 2025, advised the Association and the state government that the school lacked basic requirements needed for accreditation. In his report, he recommended the immediate closure of the illegal school for the safety of the people.
In his findings, he observed that, “the school had no demonstration room, no hospital affiliation for clinical postings, and no hostel accommodation for students who shockingly were already in their 300 level without undergoing any clinical training and resource verification from the nursing council.”
He also noted that the inspection committee recommended the immediate closure of the school, withdrawal of all students, and the revocation of licenses for individuals posing as nursing tutors without approval.
Formal Closure Notice
Following the report, the Nursing and Midwifery Committee of the State and the Lagos State Ministry of Health issued a formal closure notice dated February 20, 2025, signed by Dr. Olawale Oladapo, Secretary of the Committee.
The letter stated that the decision to close the institution was due to failure to meet minimum standards for accreditation as outlined in NMCN regulations, non-compliance with repeated warnings to correct identified deficiencies, and evidence of substandard training and education, which posed risks to the health, safety, and wellbeing of students and the public.
Measures Taken
The premises have since been sealed and placed under surveillance to prevent any further unauthorized operation of the college. Any contrary action will be considered unauthorized and may result in legal action.