• Lagos First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has launched a N70m endowment fund for indigent children needing surgery
• The intervention will support pediatric surgical patients in 14 public health institutions across Lagos
• The fund was created through the Orunsii Welfare Foundation to improve access to life-saving care for vulnerable children

The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has announced a N70m endowment fund to provide surgical care for indigent children across Lagos, in a fresh intervention aimed at improving access to life-saving treatment for vulnerable families.

The fund, created under the Orunsii Welfare Foundation, will support pediatric surgical patients in 14 public health institutions across the state, including 12 general hospitals, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.

Speaking during the pediatric surgical support event organised by the foundation on Monday, April 27, Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the initiative was inspired by compassion and a shared duty to support vulnerable children.

Quoting Mother Teresa, she said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

She described the intervention as a deliberate response to the healthcare challenges facing children in need of urgent surgical treatment, noting that the Orunsii Welfare Foundation was established on the principles of “compassion, service, and a deep commitment to humanity.”

According to her, the foundation’s work is centred on four major areas: mental health awareness advocacy, elderly care, pediatric surgical support, and environmental sustainability.

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.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the N70m endowment was drawn from funds raised during her 59th birthday celebration in January 2026, when friends and associates were encouraged to donate to the foundation in place of 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 financing model designed to guarantee sustainability and long-term impact.

“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.

As part of the immediate rollout, the First Lady announced an initial disbursement of N1m to each of the 14 beneficiary hospitals to begin implementation while the broader funding framework is being fully established.

The hospitals listed to benefit from the intervention include General Hospitals in Gbagada, Alimosho, Lagos Island, Randle, Orchid, Badagry, Orile-Agege, Ikorodu, Ifako-Ijaiye, Isolo, Ijede, and Somolu, as well as LASUTH and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.

Medical directors present at the event described the intervention as timely and significant, saying it would reduce the financial burden on vulnerable families seeking surgical care for their children.

Speaking on behalf of the medical directors, the Medical Director of Ikorodu General Hospital, Dr Taiwo Hassan, and the Medical Director of Orchid Road General Hospital, Dr Olufunmilola Osho, commended Mrs Sanwo-Olu and the Orunsii Welfare Foundation for the initiative, noting that it would offer relief to low-income families in need of urgent pediatric surgery.

Also speaking, the Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabanwo, praised the foundation’s growing contribution to healthcare delivery in Lagos, particularly in areas requiring focused social intervention.

The Programme Coordinator of the Orunsii Welfare Foundation and Medical Director of Randle General Hospital, Olumide Sojinrin, described the initiative as a practical and scalable response to gaps in pediatric healthcare, stressing its potential to deliver lasting impact through sustainable support.

The event drew health administrators, nurses, and social care professionals from across Lagos, underscoring the growing push for inclusive healthcare delivery and stronger public-private collaboration in the state.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu unveils unity fabric, celebrates young designer Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unveiled a #OneNigeria/UnityFabric, which was designed by Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a 25-year-old University of Ibadan graduate.

The First Lady disclosed that the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric was a competition launched in February 2024, inviting youths aged 15-25 to submit designs symbolising Nigeria’s unity.