SANWO-OLU’S WIFE DONATES ₦70M TO SUPPORT CHILD SURGICAL CARE
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State Governor, on Monday unveiled a ₦70 million endowment fund to support indigent paediatric surgical patients across the state, in a bid to expand access to life-saving care for vulnerable children.
The fund, established under the Orunsii Welfare Foundation, will benefit patients in 14 public health facilities, including 12 general hospitals, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital.
Speaking at a paediatric surgical support event organised by the foundation, Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the initiative is driven by compassion and shared responsibility, citing Mother Teresa’s words: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
She described the programme as a focused intervention aimed at closing gaps in access to critical healthcare for children, adding that the Orunsii Welfare Foundation is rooted in compassion, service, and a strong commitment to humanity.
She said, “The foundation operates across four key focus areas — mental health awareness advocacy, care of the elderly, pediatric surgical support, and environmental sustainability,” adding that its interventions were designed to complement government efforts while directly impacting lives.
Dr Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the endowment was carved out of funds realised during her 59th birthday in January 2026, when well-wishers were encouraged to donate to the foundation instead of presenting gifts.
“A total sum of N180m was realised. Out of this, N70m will be set aside as an endowment fund dedicated to pediatric surgical support across 14 selected hospitals in Lagos State,” she said.
She explained that the fund would be managed through a structured financial model designed to ensure sustainability, incorporating banking-led medical financing systems that allow the capital to yield returns over time.
“This endowment is testing a pilot disbursement system that incorporates bank-supported medical financing. The model ensures that the funds generate dividends, allowing for continuity and long-term impact,” she added.
While the full framework is being implemented, the First Lady announced an immediate disbursement of N1m each to the participating hospitals to kick-start the programme.
Beneficiary institutions include general hospitals in Gbagada, Alimosho, Lagos Island, Randle, Orchid, Badagry, Orile-Agege, Ikorodu, Ifako-Ijaiye, Isolo, Ijede, and Somolu, alongside LASUTH and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.
Medical directors at the event commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, the Medical Director of Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr Taiwo Hassan, and his counterpart at Orchid Road General Hospital, Dr Olufunmilola Osho, expressed appreciation to the First Lady and the foundation for the intervention, noting that it would significantly ease the burden on vulnerable families requiring surgical care for their children.
Also speaking, the Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabanwo, highlighted the foundation’s growing role in supporting the healthcare system, particularly in areas requiring targeted social intervention.
The Programme Coordinator of the Orunsii Welfare Foundation and Medical Director of Randle General Hospital, Olumide Sojinrin, described the initiative as a structured and scalable response to gaps in paediatric healthcare access, emphasising its potential for long-term sustainability.
The event brought together health administrators, nurses and social care workers within the state’s medical sector, reinforcing a broader push toward inclusive healthcare delivery and strategic public-private collaboration in Lagos.
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