For medical and healthcare students in Nigeria — particularly those in Lagos and the southwest — the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital is one of the most prominent institutions on the landscape. Known widely as LASUTH, it is not only one of the largest hospitals in Nigeria but also one of the most active centres for medical training, clinical education, and healthcare research in the country.
Whether you are a medical student doing your clinical rotations, a fresh graduate looking for a housemanship placement, a doctor ready to begin residency training, or an allied health professional searching for an internship position, LASUTH has a structured pathway designed for you. This guide covers everything you need to know — from the hospital’s background and training programs to how to apply and what to expect.
About Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital is a state-owned tertiary healthcare institution located at 1–5, Oba Akinjobi Road, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State, which makes LASUTH one of the most strategically positioned teaching hospitals in the country — sitting in the heart of Nigeria’s most economically active state.
The hospital’s history stretches back to 1955, when it was established as a modest cottage hospital called the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital by the old Western Regional Government. Its initial purpose was to deliver basic healthcare to residents of Ikeja and its surrounding areas. In 1972, it was renamed the Lagos Island General Hospital, and over the following decades, it continued to grow in scope and capacity.
The real transformation came when the need for a proper tertiary healthcare facility — one that could train doctors and allied health professionals at the highest level — led to its upgrade into a full teaching hospital. It was formally designated as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and affiliated with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), which oversees the undergraduate medical degree programs whose students train clinically at LASUTH.
Today, LASUTH is a massive institution with over 1,000 beds, more than 4,000 staff — including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals — and over 30 departments and units covering virtually every major medical and surgical specialty. It is the primary referral hospital for Lagos State and one of the busiest tertiary healthcare facilities in West Africa.
The official website is www.lasuth.org.ng. All vacancy announcements, school admissions, and official communications are published there.
LASUTH as a Medical Training Centre
What makes LASUTH particularly significant for medical and healthcare students is its dual role — it is both a frontline healthcare provider and a structured training institution. As a teaching hospital, it has a formal mandate to educate and train healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines, and it fulfils that mandate through several distinct programs.
LASUTH collaborates closely with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) to provide practical clinical training for medical students working toward their MBBS degrees. Beyond undergraduate training, the hospital runs a postgraduate residency program, internship programs for allied health professionals, and multiple training schools that cover nursing, midwifery, community health, and other specialised fields.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, has been particularly vocal about the hospital’s commitment to capacity building in the healthcare sector. Under his leadership, LASUTH has been recognised as a model institution for training school establishment — with other Nigerian teaching hospitals visiting LASUTH specifically to learn from its training structures.
Undergraduate Medical Training at LASUTH
LASUTH serves as the primary clinical training ground for medical and dental students of the Lagos State University College of Medicine. Students enrolled in the MBBS and BDS programs at LASUCOM spend their clinical years rotating through LASUTH’s various departments under the supervision of experienced consultants and senior resident doctors.
The clinical departments at LASUTH cover an exceptionally broad range of specialties, giving students exposure to both common and complex medical conditions. Departments available for clinical rotation include:
- Internal Medicine — with subspecialties including Cardiology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, and Respiratory Medicine
- Surgery — including General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, Maxillofacial Surgery, and Plastic Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatric Medicine and Paediatric Surgery
- Family Medicine
- Pathology — including Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Clinical Pathology, and Haematology and Blood Transfusion
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Psychiatry
- Ophthalmology
- ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
- Community Health and Primary Care
- Medical Microbiology
- Accident and Emergency
- Fertility Medicine
The breadth of this department list means that LASUCOM clinical students get exposure to specialties that students at many other teaching hospitals do not encounter during their undergraduate years. This depth of clinical exposure is one of the strongest features of medical training at LASUTH.
Housemanship at LASUTH
After completing the MBBS or BDS degree, every medical and dental graduate in Nigeria must complete a mandatory one-year housemanship program before they can be fully registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). LASUTH is one of the most sought-after housemanship centres in the country — its Lagos location, the quality of its clinical exposure, and the reputation of its consultants make it a top choice for fresh graduates.
House officers at LASUTH rotate through the four core clinical departments — Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology — over the course of the year. Each rotation is supervised by consultants and senior residents who guide house officers through real patient management, procedures, and clinical decision-making.
Requirements for Housemanship at LASUTH
- A Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from a university recognised by the MDCN
- A current practising licence from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria
- Completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program or possession of a valid NYSC exemption letter
- Submission of a completed application form with all relevant credentials
Housemanship vacancy announcements are published on the LASUTH official website and through Nigerian medical job platforms. Positions are advertised periodically — there is no fixed annual cycle, so monitoring the website and trusted medical job boards is the best approach.
Residency Training Programme at LASUTH
LASUTH runs a fully active postgraduate residency training programme that prepares doctors for specialist certification in their chosen fields. The programme operates in partnership with the West African College of Physicians (WACP), the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN). Completion of the residency programme, combined with passing the relevant fellowship examinations, leads to specialist certification.
Residency training at LASUTH covers a wide range of specialties. Based on available information from the hospital’s recruitment history, the specialties include:
- Internal Medicine and its subspecialties
- General Surgery and subspecialties including Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, and Plastic Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatric Medicine and Paediatric Surgery
- Family Medicine
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Pathology — Anatomic, Clinical, Haematology
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Ophthalmology
- ENT, Head and Neck Surgery
- Community Health
- Medical Microbiology
- Fertility Medicine
Requirements for Residency Training at LASUTH
To qualify for residency training at LASUTH, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- MBBS or BDS degree from a university recognised by the MDCN
- Full registration with the MDCN — provisional registration is not sufficient for residency
- Completion of housemanship — you must have successfully completed your mandatory one-year internship before applying for residency
- NYSC completion or a valid NYSC exemption letter
- Primary Fellowship Certificate — candidates applying for the Registrar II (entry-level residency) position must have passed the Primary Fellowship examination of either WACP, WACS, or NPMCN in their intended specialty
- Part II Fellowship — for senior registrar positions, candidates must hold the Part II Fellowship of the relevant postgraduate college
How to Apply for Residency at LASUTH
- Monitor the LASUTH website at www.lasuth.org.ng for vacancy announcements. Residency positions are advertised when slots become available — there is no fixed recruitment window.
- Pick up an application form from the Workforce, Planning and Recruitment Unit, MRC Building, LASUTH, Ikeja — or download it from the website when available.
- Complete the form accurately and attach all required credentials — MBBS certificate, MDCN licence, NYSC certificate, Primary Fellowship certificate, birth certificate, and passport photographs.
- Submit the completed form at the Hospital Administration and Human Resources Office at LASUTH within the stated deadline.
- Attend the screening interview — shortlisted candidates are contacted and invited for an interview. Prepare to discuss your specialty interest, your Primary Fellowship result, and your career goals.
Internship Programs for Allied Health Professionals at LASUTH
Beyond medical housemanship, LASUTH offers structured internship programs for qualified graduates in a range of allied health fields. These internships are mandatory post-graduation requirements before full professional registration in each respective field.
Based on LASUTH’s published vacancy history, the allied health internship fields available include:
- Nursing — including Intern Nursing Officer positions for BNSc graduates
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Radiography
- Speech Pathology and Audiology
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Occupational Therapy
- Dietetics and Nutrition
General Requirements for Allied Health Internships at LASUTH
- A university degree in the relevant healthcare specialty from a recognised and accredited institution
- A statement of result or degree certificate — candidates without their statement of result and current professional licences should not apply
- Provisional or current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body
- Valid means of identification
- Passport photographs
How to Apply for Allied Health Internships at LASUTH
- Check the LASUTH website at www.lasuth.org.ng for current internship vacancy announcements in your field
- Pick up an application form from the Workforce, Planning and Recruitment Unit, MRC Building, LASUTH, Ikeja
- Complete the form and attach all required documents — degree certificate or statement of result, professional licence, and other credentials as specified in the vacancy notice
- Submit before the closing date stated in the vacancy announcement
- Attend the screening exercise — only shortlisted candidates who meet all requirements are invited
Training Schools at LASUTH
One of the things that sets LASUTH apart from many other state teaching hospitals in Nigeria is the number and variety of training schools it operates. These schools run certificate, diploma, and specialised post-basic programs for students and professionals at different levels of the healthcare system.
The training schools currently operating under LASUTH include:
School of Nursing
The LASUTH School of Nursing trains students for the basic nursing qualification. It is one of the established nursing schools in Lagos State and produces registered nurses who go on to work across public and private healthcare facilities.
School of Midwifery
The School of Midwifery trains qualified nurses to become registered midwives. The program equips graduates with the skills to manage pregnancy, labour, delivery, and postnatal care — a critical competency in a state with Lagos’s population size.
School of Post Basic Nursing
This school offers a range of specialised 12-month post-basic nursing programs for registered nurses who want to develop expertise in specific clinical areas. The available specialisations include:
- Perioperative Nursing
- Accident and Emergency Nursing
- Paediatric Nursing
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- Neonatal Nursing
- Nephrology Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
School of Community Health
This school trains community health officers and extension workers — mid-level healthcare professionals who are essential for primary healthcare delivery at the community level across Lagos State.
School of Health Information Management
This school offers programs in Health Information Management — training professionals who manage patient records, health data, and information systems within healthcare institutions.
School of Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
This specialised school trains medical and psychiatric social workers — professionals who support patients and families dealing with the social and psychological aspects of illness and healthcare.
School of Anaesthetic Technicians
This school trains anaesthetic technicians who work alongside anaesthesiologists in theatre settings — a specialised role that requires specific technical training.
Institute of Advanced Professional Diploma in Hospital Administration and Management (APDHAM)
This is one of LASUTH’s newer training initiatives, inaugurated on April 13, 2024. It was established under the vision of the Chief Medical Director, Professor Fabamwo, to equip health administrators with advanced competencies in strategic planning, human resource management, and hospital administration. The APDHAM is a part-time, 12-month programme with lectures held on Saturdays and Sundays — making it accessible to working healthcare professionals. It is affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and approved by the Institute of Health Administration of Nigeria (IHSAN).
Research and Academic Activities at LASUTH
LASUTH is not just a training and service institution — it is also an active research centre. The hospital conducts clinical research to inform evidence-based care, improve health outcomes, and foster healthcare innovation within the Nigerian context. Resident doctors and consultants are encouraged to participate in research activities, attend conferences, and contribute to academic publications.
The hospital has also been expanding its specialist services in ways that create new research and training opportunities. Its Institute of Fertility Medicine, for instance, is one of the facilities LASUTH has been developing to offer IVF and reproductive medicine services — a relatively specialised area that opens new training opportunities for doctors interested in fertility medicine. LASUTH also has a Centre for Advanced Neonatal Studies — a recognition of its growing commitment to neonatal care training and research.
The hospital participates in the Lagos State Health Scheme and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and maintains partnerships with both local and international health organisations to strengthen its capacity for training and service delivery.
Contact Information for LASUTH
For enquiries about training programs, internship vacancies, residency positions, school admissions, or any other matters related to LASUTH, here is how to reach the hospital:
- Address: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, 1–5, Oba Akinjobi Road, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
- Website: www.lasuth.org.ng
- Workforce, Planning and Recruitment Unit: MRC Building, LASUTH, Ikeja (for application forms and HR matters)
All vacancy announcements, school admission notices, and official information are published on the official LASUTH website. Always use the official website for any information about training or employment at LASUTH — do not rely on third-party agents or unofficial sources.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASUTH Training Programs
Is LASUTH a federal or state hospital?
LASUTH is a state-owned teaching hospital — it is owned and funded by the Lagos State Government, not the Federal Government. This distinguishes it from federal teaching hospitals like LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital), which is a separate institution located in Idi-Araba, Lagos. LASUTH is affiliated with the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).
What is the difference between LASUTH and LUTH?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for students. LASUTH (Lagos State University Teaching Hospital) is owned by the Lagos State Government and affiliated with LASUCOM. LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) is a federal teaching hospital located in Idi-Araba and affiliated with the University of Lagos College of Medicine (CMUL). They are two entirely separate institutions located in different parts of Lagos.
Can non-LASUCOM medical students train at LASUTH?
Yes. While LASUTH’s primary undergraduate training mandate is for LASUCOM students, housemanship and residency positions are open to graduates and doctors from any university or institution recognised by the MDCN. Being a LASUCOM graduate does not give automatic preference for housemanship or residency slots.
How do I find out when LASUTH is recruiting for residency or internship?
All recruitment and training vacancy announcements are published on the official LASUTH website at www.lasuth.org.ng. You can also monitor reputable Nigerian medical job platforms like Medical World Nigeria for LASUTH vacancy updates. There is no fixed recruitment calendar — positions are advertised as they become available.
Do I need the Primary Fellowship to apply for residency at LASUTH?
Yes — for the Registrar II (entry-level residency) position, you must have passed the Primary Fellowship examination of the relevant postgraduate college (WACP, WACS, or NPMCN) in your intended specialty. For senior registrar positions, the Part II Fellowship is required.
What post-basic nursing specialties are available at LASUTH?
LASUTH’s School of Post Basic Nursing currently offers specialisations in Perioperative Nursing, Accident and Emergency Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nephrology Nursing, and Critical Care Nursing. Each programme runs for 12 months.
Is the LASUTH APDHAM programme open to non-medical professionals?
The Advanced Professional Diploma in Hospital Administration and Management (APDHAM) is designed for health administrators and healthcare professionals who work in or aspire to hospital management roles. It is a part-time programme held on weekends, making it accessible to working professionals across the health sector. Contact LASUTH directly for specific admission requirements for each intake.
What is the bed capacity of LASUTH?
LASUTH currently has over 1,000 beds — making it one of the largest teaching hospitals in Nigeria. It has more than 4,000 staff members including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, and operates across more than 30 departments and units.
Final Thoughts
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital stands as one of Nigeria’s most important medical training institutions. From its humble origins as a cottage hospital in 1955 to its current status as a 1,000-bed tertiary centre with over 30 departments, multiple training schools, and an active residency programme, LASUTH has grown into a genuine centre of medical excellence.
For medical and healthcare students who want to train in one of Nigeria’s most dynamic healthcare environments — in the heart of Lagos, with exposure to a patient population that reflects the full complexity of urban Nigerian health — LASUTH offers opportunities that are hard to match at any other state teaching hospital in the country.
Keep an eye on the official website for vacancy announcements, meet all stated requirements before applying, and take advantage of every training opportunity the institution offers.
If this article helped you, share it with a fellow medical student or healthcare professional. And if you have any questions about LASUTH’s programs or application process, drop them in the comments section below.