Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has inaugurated the Sir Kensington Adebutu Medical Research Centre at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), aimed at improving health outcomes in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the inauguration on Monday in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described the project as “an intellectual investment” and a true act of philanthropy that promotes human capital development.
He said the centre would serve as a global hub for medical and scientific research, benefiting not only the university but the entire country.
The governor commended Sir Kensington Adebutu, the donor, for his generosity, urging other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate such gestures to create lasting legacies.
“As the name connotes, it is a research centre within the faculty of medicine. Research is one of the areas that needs more investment, and this centre will help both the university and the medical community to carry out research that serves today and prepares for tomorrow,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added that the facility would enhance human capacity development, integrate artificial intelligence into medical research, and position Nigeria for global relevance in healthcare innovation.
Sanwo-Olu said the project was a reminder that wealth should be used to serve humanity.
“Government alone cannot do it all. Philanthropy like this gives back to the community and ensures your impact outlives you,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, said the project aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to promote innovation and research in Nigeria’s education sector.
He described the centre as a “multi-dimensional research hub” for translational and clinical studies that will advance health outcomes in Nigeria and globally.
Alausa also revealed plans to establish a National Research Trust Fund to provide sustainable and competitive funding for researchers nationwide.
“The trust fund aims to unleash billions of naira into our research base so that researchers can apply for grants to move their work from the bench to the market,” he said.
The Provost of CMUL, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, said the project was born from a 2019 High Table Dinner of the MESILAG Alumni, where Adebutu made the commitment to fund the research centre.
Oremosu noted that the inauguration coincided with Adebutu’s 90th birthday and reaffirmed the college’s dedication to advancing medical knowledge.
“This centre is a promise to our students, researchers, and faculty—that their ideas will be nurtured, their inquiries supported, and their discoveries empowered,” he said.
In his remarks, the 90-year-old philanthropist, Kensington Adebutu, attributed his achievements to the grace of God and reaffirmed his commitment to humanitarian causes.
“I wish this facility becomes a source of innovation and human capital development, contributing meaningfully to the health and well-being of our communities,” Adebutu said.
