Lagos gets ultra-modern trauma facility through PPP

The Lagos State Government has delivered a newly constructed Custodian Accident and Emergency Centre (CAEC) in Epe, built and donated by Custodian Investment Plc through its Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation (CSRF). 

The edifice was officially handed over to the government on Thursday during the center's official launch, which was held within the premises of the Federal Medical Centre, Epe.

The event, which drew people from all walks of life, added a boost to healthcare infrastructure in Lagos’s rapidly developing Epe division. 

The emergency facility, described as a “Level IV Trauma Centre,” is designed to provide immediate triage and stabilization services in the event of accidents and other emergencies in hard-to-reach areas on the outskirts of Lagos metropolis.

Speaking during the handover, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed profound gratitude to Custodian Investment Plc and described the project as “a bold step forward in expanding access to urgent and life-saving medical services.” 

"The facility represents what is possible when corporate vision aligns with government priorities and community needs". he said 

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Ministry of Health for its collaboration in delivering what he called a “world-class facility,” and added that Epe’s strategic selection as the project’s location reflects the government’s commitment to equitable healthcare distribution. 

“It goes to show that Epe is always on our mind,” he declared. “Every division in Lagos will get its due, but today is Epe’s turn.”

Describing the new centre as a critical link in the healthcare delivery chain, the Governor emphasized its role in stabilizing patients during the crucial first 24 to 48 hours after an incident.

 “We cannot predict when an accident will happen,” he said, “but with this center in place, lives will be saved faster, and long-term care plans will be better structured.”

He again urged residents to take ownership of the facility, stressing the need for collective protection, responsible use, and support for medical personnel. “Let this center remain a beacon of hope that outlives generations,” the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu appealed to other corporate organizations to emulate the Custodian's commitment to community development. “Government cannot do it alone, but we are always open to genuine partnership. We promise that we won’t waste your time or resources,” he pledged.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, lauded the professionalism and collaborative spirit with which the Custodian approached the project. 

He says, “You didn’t impose your vision on us. You asked what we needed, and you listened. That’s how real partnerships should work,” he stated.

Highlighting the shared history with members of Custodian’s leadership team from his days at the International School Ibadan, Abayomi said the personal and professional networks helped energize the execution.

 “This building is not just concrete and glass. It’s a story of shared values and genuine social impact,” he added.

He also explained that the architectural design incorporated low-carbon and energy-efficient elements, reflecting Lagos’ climate-resilient health infrastructure strategy. 

“What you see here is a masterpiece. It is not just a health center, it is a future-facing facility,” he enthused.

Prof. Akin Abayomi emphasized the life-saving role of trauma centers, describing them as facilities that "bring people back from the clutches of death", noting that such centers must be fully equipped and ready to respond instantly to severe incidents like road traffic accidents. 

The Commissioner described the facility as fully aligned with Lagos’ Emergency Management Strategy and said it would become an integral part of the State’s expanding network of pre-hospital and trauma care units. “We’re already integrating it into our emergency response architecture,” he assured.

Highlighting the State’s strategic policy to establish trauma centers along major entry points into Lagos, Prof. Abayomi referenced the launch of the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), which will help emergency responders locate available centers and equipment in real-time.

 He stated that under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, funds are being earmarked to cover emergency care for patients in the critical first 24 to 48 hours without requiring upfront payment.

The Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, recounted the Foundation’s earlier unsuccessful attempt to establish a trauma center along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and how that setback led to a new opportunity when he reconnected with his senior and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi. 

He explained that the conversation opened doors to align the initiative with the State’s vision for a network of trauma and emergency centers. “But after deep reflection and discussions with the government, we agreed that Epe would benefit more from such a facility,” he said. 

He noted that the eventual siting of the CAEC within a hospital environment in Epe was strategically chosen for ease of patient access and swift medical intervention.

The Custodian GMD expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, including government officials, architects, and contractors, who made the project a success.

In her remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi expressed joy and pride at the commissioning and handover of the Custodian Accident and Emergency Centre. 

She described the event as the culmination of a shared vision between the Lagos State Government and Custodian Investment Plc to address emergency care gaps in the Epe axis and beyond, with a facility designed to save lives and improve critical care delivery.

Dr. Ogunyemi noted that the groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art Level IV Trauma Centre took place in May 2023 and praised the execution and quality of the completed structure. 

 She commended the strategic design tailored for rapid treatment within the crucial ‘golden hour’ of trauma cases.

Aligning the facility with the Health and Environment pillar of the State's THEMES+ agenda, Dr. Ogunyemi reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to effective staffing, proper maintenance, and high-quality service delivery at the Centre. 

She thanked Custodian Investment Plc for their unwavering commitment to public welfare and concluded with a call to continued collaboration in building a healthier, safer, and more inclusive Lagos.

At the event, the CEO of, the Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation (CSRF), Mrs. Olubunmi Aderemi, reflected on the Foundation’s origins in vehicle insurance and the evolution of its social mission towards saving lives, moving from repairing vehicles to rescuing accident victims.

She said the 20-bed Level IV trauma facility is designed to serve not just the local community but commuters on the Sagamu-Benin expressway, where infrastructure development is rapidly expanding.

Mrs. Aderemi expressed deep appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his swift approval and to Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, for his unwavering support.