Overview and History of Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences Ijanikin, Lagos

 
Located along the Badagry Express Way in Ijanikin, Lagos State, the Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences (Eko UNIMED) represents a bold vision for healthcare education in Nigeria. Established to address the critical shortage of trained medical and allied health professionals in the country, Eko UNIMED brings a focused academic environment where medicine, surgery and health sciences take centre stage. From its inception, the university has aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to foster character, service orientation and research competence among its students.In a nation where the doctor-to-population ratio remains far below global benchmarks, Eko UNIMED emerges as part of the solution. Its foundation rests on the belief that quality medical training, access to clinical experience and robust infrastructure can empower a new generation of practitioners who are both skilled and compassionate. By positioning itself within Lagos – Nigeria’s largest city and a hub of healthcare delivery – the institution offers students exposure to real-world clinical practice, diverse patient populations and the challenges of modern medical systems.

In this blog post, we will explore the university’s official details, mission and motto, founder and chancellor, its history, accreditation status, academic structure and campus life, and finally touch on its emerging alumni base and their areas of specialization. Whether you are a prospective student, parent, academic collaborator or simply interested in Nigeria’s healthcare education landscape, this profile offers a comprehensive and humanised view of Eko UNIMED and its role in shaping healthcare professionals for tomorrow.

##Official Website
The official website of Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences is https://ekounimed.edu.ng/The site serves as the primary portal for admission information, academic programmes, staff and administration updates, news and events, and contact details. It offers prospective students and stakeholders full access to official announcements, application guidelines and relevant resources.

##Motto
The university embraces the motto: “Excellence and Compassion.” This phrase encapsulates the dual emphasis of the institution: to excel academically and professionally, while also nurturing the human dimension of healthcare — empathy, ethics, service-mindset. The motto reflects the belief that being a good healthcare professional is not just about technical expertise, but about caring for people with dignity, respect and compassion.

##Founder
The founder of Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences is Hammed Ayodele Ibraheem (often styled Dr. Ayodele Ibraheem). He is a Lagos-based medical practitioner, scholar and education entrepreneur whose vision for a dedicated private medical and health sciences university in Nigeria led to the establishment of Eko UNIMED. Through years of persistence, planning and resource mobilisation, Dr. Ibraheem sought to provide a platform for training physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals – thereby contributing to addressing the national shortage and improving healthcare service delivery.

##History
The origins of Eko UNIMED can be traced to the late 1990s when the founder submitted an application to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the establishment of what was then to be ‘Ibraheem College of Surgeons and Physicians’. 

That initial application (circa August 1999) did not receive a favourable comment, but the founder persisted. A subsequent application was filed in June 2002 and development of the site commenced under the leadership of a project-planning committee headed by Prof. Nurudeen Olorunnibe Adedipe. 

In February 2009, the NUC paid its first visitation, and after further work and site development, culminating in a final visitation in June 2016, the Federal Executive Council approved the university on 6 December 2017. 
The formal licence was presented to the founder on 19 December 2017. 

The university admitted its first students on 13 December 2018 and began subsequent matriculations thereafter. 
In October 2021, Eko UNIMED announced full accreditation by the NUC and approval for its students to sit professional medical examinations. 

More recently, in February 2025, the university held its 7th matriculation ceremony, marking a growing institution with deepening systems. 
From a modest beginning with a clear vision of filling Nigeria’s healthcare professional gap, to gaining licencing, accreditation and building academic programmes, Eko UNIMED’s history is one of perseverance, strategic planning and meaningful ambition. It represents one of Nigeria’s first privately-owned specialised universities in the medical and health sciences field, located in the West African sub-region. 

##Chancellor
The appointed Chancellor of Eko UNIMED is Abayomi Finnih (full name Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih) who serves as the pioneer Chancellor. 
Brief Biography
Dr. Finnih is a distinguished obstetrician and gynaecologist. He completed his medical training at the University of Ibadan, and went on to become a consultant, Medical Director and leader in women’s health services in Lagos. The biography indicates that he was born on 9 February 1942 in Lagos, attended early schooling locally before moving into specialist obstetrics and gynaecology. 

He served as Medical Director of Finnih Medical Centre in Ikeja and held leadership roles in obstetrics/gynaecology professional bodies such as the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON). 

In his role as Chancellor of Eko UNIMED, Dr. Finnih brings decades of clinical, administrative and leadership experience in healthcare – complementing the academic mission of the university to produce professionals who are technically competent and ethically grounded.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation is a critical component for any university, especially in medical and health sciences where professional practice and licencing matter. For Eko UNIMED:

In October 2021, the university announced that its courses had received full accreditation from the NUC, while the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) approved the students in Year Three to sit their first professional examinations. 

In December 2024, the university announced full accreditation from MDCN following a final accreditation exercise.

The institution is listed in the directory of world medical schools and has entered into MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) with government hospitals in Lagos for student clinical training.

These accreditation milestones are significant, because they affirm that the institution meets national regulatory standards for running medical and health sciences programmes, and that its graduates are eligible for professional registration and practice. For prospective students, this translates to assurance of recognition of their degrees, ability to take requisite professional exams and confidence in the institution’s legitimacy.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Eko UNIMED is structured to provide focused teaching, research and practical training in medical and health sciences. Below are key components of its academic structure and facilities:

Faculty/Programmes of Medicine & Surgery (MBBS)

Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Surgery

Faculty of Nursing Science 

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences / Pre-clinical Departments 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Life on campus at Eko UNIMED is anchored in its medical training focus but also incorporates general student life, amenities and opportunities for holistic growth. Some of the features include:

Lecture halls, laboratories and simulation rooms equipped for medical sciences teaching.

ICT infrastructure: Wired and wireless internet access throughout campus enabling research, e-learning and student collaboration. 

Access to clinical facilities via partnerships with teaching hospitals in Lagos – students engage in practical patient-care training, bridging theory and practice.

A multi-purpose hall (e.g., Alhaja Ajarat Atinuke Ibraheem Memorial Hall) used for major ceremonies such as matriculation, indicating access to communal student-gathering spaces. 

Accommodation/residential arrangements (while specific details may vary) and on-campus support services for students, including library facilities, recreation spaces, and student associations.

Emphasis on professional development, ethics and service orientation: events, induction ceremonies and student associations reinforce the university’s values of “excellence and compassion”.

Expansion vision: With future development planned for a larger campus, research hospital complex and increased space, students join an institution in growth mode – offering opportunities to be part of building culture and legacy.