The Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, on Monday in Lagos, on behalf of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commissioned 79 advanced ambulances for distribution to tertiary healthcare institutions across Nigeria.
The commissioning, held as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to translate the President’s healthcare promises under the Renewed Hope Agenda into visible improvements in emergency medical response and access to quality care nationwide.
It also aligns with President Tinubu’s earlier pledge that improved quality healthcare is central to his promise of Renewed Hope and that Nigeria’s health system must be strengthened through deliberate investment and reform.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Adeyemo said the initiative, facilitated through the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is a practical demonstration of the administration’s commitment to building an integrated emergency care network across the country.
He noted that the ambulances will boost the capacity of tertiary hospitals to respond more quickly and effectively to medical emergencies, thereby improving survival outcomes and reducing avoidable deaths.
Professor Adeyemo stated that the project also reflects the reform direction championed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who has consistently emphasized that Nigeria’s health sector renewal must combine stronger infrastructure, better emergency care systems, and measurable progress toward Universal Health Coverage. He said the deployment of the ambulances supports that vision by improving patient transport, referral linkages, and timely access to lifesaving treatment.
According to him, the ambulances were entirely assembled in Nigeria, including the emergency medical equipment installed in them, demonstrating the country’s growing capacity in local manufacturing, healthcare technology, and automobile engineering.
He described this as consistent with the Federal Government’s wider reform objective of strengthening domestic capacity in the health sector and reducing dependence on external systems.
“These ambulances are a testament to Nigeria’s ability to produce world-class emergency response vehicles locally. Beyond improving emergency healthcare delivery, this initiative will stimulate local manufacturing, create employment opportunities, and strengthen confidence in indigenous capacity,” he said.
Professor Adeyemo further explained that the ambulances are Advanced Life Support units fitted with modern medical equipment and communication systems that will enable receiving hospitals to prepare ahead of patients’ arrival.
He added that the dual-fuel configuration of the vehicles, using both Premium Motor Spirit and Compressed Natural Gas, also reflects the administration’s broader policy direction on sustainability and energy diversification.
He described the intervention as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to ensure that healthcare is not only available but also reachable in critical moments. He noted that while investments in hospital infrastructure remain important, efficient emergency transportation is equally essential to saving lives.
“Healthcare facilities must be accessible when emergencies occur. These ambulances will improve the movement of patients from homes, schools, markets, highways, and other locations to hospitals where they can receive timely medical attention. This will significantly reduce avoidable deaths and complications arising from delayed access to care,” he said.
Professor Adeyemo also urged state governments, local government authorities, private healthcare providers, and other institutions to take advantage of the proven local production capacity demonstrated through the project to meet future emergency medical transportation needs.
He reaffirmed that the initiative is in line with President Tinubu’s promise to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare for all Nigerians, as well as Professor Pate’s commitment to building a more coordinated, accountable, and responsive health system.
The distribution of the 79 ambulances to tertiary healthcare institutions nationwide, he said, will further strengthen emergency response systems and deepen ongoing reforms aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality across the country.
