{
  "id": 15422541,
  "title": "Meet 7 owners of largest private hospitals in Lagos",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/meet-7-owners-of-largest-private-hospitals-in-lagos",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-18T13:45:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/10/18/meet-7-owners-of-largest-private-hospitals-in-lagos/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the densely populated city of Lagos, home to over 20 million residents, the growing demand for healthcare services has put immense strain on the city's medical infrastructure. The state of Lagos, which bears the brunt of Nigeria's healthcare challenges, currently employs an estimated 7,385 doctors to serve its burgeoning population. However, even with an abundance of medical professionals, hospitals in the region often face inadequate infrastructure, including limited bed capacity, which determines the number of patients they can admit for treatment.\n\nDespite these challenges, a new generation of medical practitioners, entrepreneurs, and investors has emerged, building private healthcare institutions that have grown from humble beginnings into large multispecialty hospitals. These hospitals span across different parts of Lagos and offer a range of specialist medical services, from cardiology and neurosurgery to kidney transplantation and intensive care.\n\nAmong the notable private hospitals in Lagos is Avon Medical, founded in 2013 by Dr Awele V. Elumelu, OFR. A medical doctor who has practiced in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Dr Elumelu established Avon Healthcare Limited, a health maintenance organisation (HMO), alongside her 50-bed multispecialty healthcare facility in Lagos. In recognition of her contributions to healthcare, Dr Elumelu was appointed Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2018. She is also the co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which she has used to promote entrepreneurship development across Africa. Dr Elumelu was honored with the national title of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2023 and was named a TIME100 Philanthropy honouree in 2026 for her transformative impact on philanthropy and entrepreneurship in Africa.\n\nAnother prominent private hospital in Lagos is St. Nicholas Hospital, a family-run institution with over seven decades of history. Founded by Dr Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi in 1968, the hospital began as a medical practice in a converted residential building, which gradually expanded into a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. Dr Majekodunmi, a medical doctor who served in the Nigerian government and politics, established the hospital with the goal of providing high-quality medical care to the people of Lagos. Today, St. Nicholas Hospital remains under the leadership of Dr Majekodunmi's family, with his son, Dr Dapo Majekodunmi, serving as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The hospital has a 50-bed capacity and has made significant strides in specialist healthcare, particularly in nephrology and kidney transplantation.\n\nFola Laoye's acquisition of Lagoon Hospitals in 2022 represents a return to her roots in the Lagos healthcare industry. Previously serving as Chief Executive Officer of Hygeia Group, which owned Lagoon Hospitals, Laoye co-founded the investment company that ultimately acquired the hospital. Established in 1986, Lagoon Hospitals has grown to encompass multiple facilities across Lagos, including Apapa, Ikeja, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi. In 2022, Iwosan Investments joined forces with Fola Adeola, Fola Laoye, and Dapo Oshinusi to take ownership of the hospital network, bringing together a diverse group of accomplished professionals with expertise in finance, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Fola Adeola serves as Chairman, Laoye leads the investment company as Chief Executive Officer, and Oshinusi sits on the hospital network's board.",
  "summary": "Nairametrics examines some of Lagos' largest private hospitals by reported bed capacity, highlighting the individuals and organisations behind their establishment, ownership and expansion. The post Meet 7 owners of largest private hospitals in Lagos appeared first on Nairametrics .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}