Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in its healthcare system with the successful completion of its first tele-robotic surgery. The groundbreaking procedure was performed on September 19, 2026, by Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davis, a professor of urology and transplantation, who remotely operated on a patient in Abuja from a hospital in Ogun State. The operation involved the removal of a kidney affected by a cancerous tumor.
The procedure, a robot-assisted right radical nephrectomy, was a collaboration between Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) in Ogun State, RoboMed Global, and Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja. The patient remained at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja while Ekwenna-Davis performed the operation remotely from a Toumai robotic surgical console at RHV in Ogun State. The surgery was made possible through the use of satellite internet service, with Starlink and MTN providing connectivity.
The operation lasted about three hours, with brief pauses to ensure that the equipment and communication systems were functioning properly. According to Ekwenna-Davis, the patient was in good condition after the operation and was expected to be discharged within 24 hours. The robotic system was controlled by the surgeon, while medical teams were involved at the locations where the surgeon and patient were situated.
The successful procedure demonstrates that telesurgery can be performed safely between different parts of Nigeria and potentially across international borders. Ekwenna-Davis emphasized that distance should not determine who receives safe surgery, highlighting the significance of this achievement in improving access to specialized medical treatment. The technology could allow Nigerians to receive specialist surgical expertise without having to travel abroad.
The development also creates opportunities for Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora to provide expertise to patients back home remotely. Dr. Adedamola Dada, Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, described the procedure as the first telesurgery in West Africa, designed to demonstrate how modern healthcare technology can improve access to specialized treatment in Nigeria and reduce medical tourism.
However, challenges need to be addressed as telesurgery expands, including connectivity issues, weather conditions, equipment quality, and the availability of trained medical personnel. The Federal Government had previously backed RHV's robotic surgery program, investing about $4 million and providing training for Nigerian medical professionals. A robotic academy will also be established to train surgeons and other medical professionals.
The achievement marks a new development in Nigeria's healthcare system, with Redeemer’s Health Village, a 300-bed multispecialty hospital established by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, playing a significant role. The hospital's investment in robotic surgery and collaboration with other medical institutions have made this milestone possible.
Key points
- Nigeria records its first tele-robotic surgery.
- The procedure was performed remotely by a surgeon in Ogun State on a patient in Abuja.
- The technology could improve access to specialized medical treatment and reduce medical tourism.
