Lagos First Lady Welcomes First Babies of 2026 in Three Hospitals

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has continued the annual New Year tradition by personally celebrating the first newborns of 2026 at three public hospitals across Lagos. On Thursday, January 1, she visited Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, Imota General Hospital and Gbagada General Hospital, where three babies born in the early hours of the year were formally welcomed with gifts, prayers and applause. At Ibeju-Lekki, Baby Oluwadare, a male baby weighing 2.9 kg, was delivered at exactly 12:00 a.m., while Baby Daramola, a female weighing 3.45 kg, was also born at midnight at Gbagada. At Imota General Hospital, Baby Adegeye-Abiodun, a boy weighing 3.45 kg, arrived at 2:45 a.m. as part of the first set of births.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu described the births as symbols of renewed hope and shared responsibility for the coming year, noting that healthy deliveries reflect access to skilled care and improvements in maternal and child health services. She commended frontline healthcare workers for their dedication, and highlighted ongoing Lagos State efforts to expand quality care through initiatives such as the Lagos State Health Scheme and upgrades to antenatal and post-natal services aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality. Officials on the visit, including Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi (Special Adviser on Health) and Dr. Dayo Lajide (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health), also underscored facility improvements such as expanded clinical services, solar power installations and increased bed capacities to better serve patients.

Hospital directors used the occasion to share data on facility performance, with Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital reporting over 5,650 antenatal care patients in 2025, Imota General Hospital noting nearly 300 deliveries and 181 caesarean sections last year, and Gbagada General Hospital recording close to 3,000 deliveries. The First Lady’s visits reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to people-centred healthcare from the very first day of 2026.

What do you think about these celebrations and the state’s focus on maternal and child health as the year begins? Comment below and share your thoughts.

Share to: