The Department of Medicine was created in April 1962 when the Act establishing the Lagos University Medical School was promulgated. The Department prepared the ground for the arrival of the first set of clinical students in 1964. The aid of the initial curriculum was to provide a teaching programme which would ensure that medical graduates of this University are well equipped to render valuable health services to society at a high level of competence. In 1979, the present curriculum was introduced with the aid of producing highly competent doctors in such numbers as are required to meet the health care delivery needs of the nation, a community and hospital levels. The course in the Department of Medicine is designed to achieve the goals of the new curriculum by exposing students in carefully graduated steps to essential skills and knowledge required.