News

Nigeria Breaks New Ground as Professor Kingsley Ekwueme Performs West Africa’s First Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu


In a bold leap toward transforming the face of healthcare in Nigeria and West Africa, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a globally respected consultant urological and robotic surgeon, has achieved a historic medical milestone — successfully performing West Africa’s first robotic prostate cancer surgery in Lagos using the advanced Da Vinci robotic system.

The landmark procedure took place on March 25, 2025, at the Prostate Clinic (TPC) Nigeria Centre for Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery, making Nigeria the first country in the sub-region to execute such a high-level procedure locally — a development hailed as a defining moment in Nigerian medical history.

Professor Ekwueme, a UK-trained surgical expert originally from Amanogu, Ihitenansa, in Orsu LGA of Imo State, established TPC Nigeria with a long-term vision: to bring world-class cancer treatment home to Nigerians, reduce medical dependency on foreign systems, and ignite a new era of healthcare excellence across West Africa.


A Groundbreaking Medical Feat With National Healthcare Implications

This successful surgery marks more than a personal achievement or a first-in-Africa headline — it signals a shift in the healthcare narrative of Nigeria. For decades, advanced procedures such as robotic prostatectomies were available only abroad, limiting access to those who could afford international medical travel.

Now, with this robotic technology installed and fully functional at TPC Nigeria, Nigerians can receive cutting-edge, minimally invasive cancer treatment without leaving the country — a development that could save millions in foreign exchange lost annually to medical tourism.

Addressing the Burden of Medical Tourism

According to healthcare expenditure data, Nigeria loses an estimated $1.2 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, with cancer treatment ranking among the top three reasons citizens seek care abroad.

With Professor Ekwueme’s milestone, a compelling case emerges for the strengthening of local healthcare sovereignty — ensuring that citizens can access advanced medical care within Nigeria’s borders.

“This is about reclaiming confidence in Nigerian healthcare,” Ekwueme emphasized. “Nigerians no longer need to travel to the UK, Germany, or India for procedures we now have the skill and technology to perform at home — and with the same level of excellence.”Nigerian Robotic Surgeon To Introduce Africa's First Non-invasive Prostate  Treatment

“This is about reclaiming confidence in Nigerian healthcare,” Ekwueme emphasized. “Nigerians no longer need to travel to the UK, Germany, or India for procedures we now have the skill and technology to perform at home — and with the same level of excellence.”


Strengthening Local Capacity Through Training and Knowledge Transfer

One of the most powerful outcomes of this development lies in its potential to build indigenous capacity and skills. Recognizing that sustainability is key, Professor Ekwueme is initiating training programs at TPC Nigeria to empower Nigerian doctors with advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgical techniques.

“The vision is not just to create a centre of excellence, but a centre of knowledge,” he said. “By training local surgeons and medical teams, we are investing in a self-sustaining healthcare ecosystem that can outlive one individual and scale across the nation.”

This approach will help close the skill gap, reduce the need for foreign surgical fellowships, and equip local institutions with the talent pool needed to scale high-precision procedures across teaching hospitals and private clinics alike.


Affordable Access to Advanced Healthcare

While robotic surgery is associated with high-tech equipment and elite medicine, Professor Ekwueme is also pioneering cost-bridging models to ensure affordability does not become a barrier.

“At TPC Nigeria, our goal is to make access equitable. We’re working with health maintenance organizations (HMOs), public-private partnerships, and donor agencies to subsidize treatment for middle and lower-income patients,” he said.

In a country where access to quality healthcare is uneven, this model represents a path toward inclusive healthcare innovation, showing that cutting-edge medicine can be accessible, not just aspirational.


Tackling Prostate Cancer – A Silent Epidemic

Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting Nigerian men, especially those over 50. Many patients are diagnosed late due to limited screening, cultural stigma, and lack of specialized care.

With the emergence of TPC Nigeria as West Africa’s first specialist prostate clinic, there is now a clear pathway to early detection, focused intervention, and comprehensive management of prostate cancer within the country.

Moreover, the introduction of robotic precision in prostate surgeries reduces complications such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence — common challenges with traditional open surgeries. This advancement improves not just survival but also quality of life for patients post-treatment.


A Call for National Support and Policy Reform

Healthcare analysts and policy experts have called on government agencies, especially the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to seize this moment as an opportunity to scale localized innovation and support private-sector-driven centers of excellence.

“Professor Ekwueme’s achievement is not just medical — it’s a strategic breakthrough in national development,” said Dr. Folake Akinwunmi, a Lagos-based healthcare economist. “Imagine the impact if even five other centres like TPC Nigeria exist across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The savings, the access, the lives preserved — it’s immense.”


Final Word: Hope Renewed for Nigerian Healthcare

In a landscape often shadowed by brain drain, crumbling public hospitals, and costly overseas treatment, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme’s historic achievement is a beacon of possibility — proving that Nigerian professionals, when supported with vision and resources, can match global medical standards and redefine what is possible on African soil.

As robotic arms moved deftly inside a Lagos operating theatre, history was not just made — it was rewritten for the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Culture

Sea Horse Lubricants Renews MC Ezegetive Brand Deal for 3rd Year, Welcomes Unku SP as New Brand Ambassador

post-image

By Chukwuemeka Iwuchukwu

In a bold move that reinforces its commitment to impactful partnerships and youth-driven marketing, Sea Horse Lubricants, one of Nigeria’s leading automotive lubricant brands, has announced the renewal of its brand ambassadorial deal with popular comedian MC Ezegetive (real name Onyekachi Christian Nweke) for the third consecutive year. Simultaneously, the company is unveiling the addition of fast-rising digital content creator Unku SP (Obinwanne Valentine Nonso) as its newest brand ambassador.

This dual announcement marks a strategic step in Sea Horse Lubricants’ marketing and branding journey, as the company continues to align itself with influential voices who embody the spirit of authenticity, innovation, and mass appeal.

Over the past three years, MC Ezegetive has become a familiar and beloved face associated with the Sea…

Read More
Business Economy News Opinion

PRINCE JOE OKOJIE: THE SILENT ACHIEVER RISING TO NATIONAL RECKONING

post-image

 

— As Edo Central Senatorial District Gears Up for 2025 Bye-Election

 

 

In the quiet yet politically vibrant community of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, a new chapter in leadership is unfolding — and at the centre of it is Prince Joseph Okojie, fondly called *Joe* by admirers and constituents alike.

Once a Commissioner for Agriculture under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, Prince Joe Okojie is being called upon by his people to step into a higher role — that of a national representative in the Senate, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The growing clamor from the grassroots is a testament not just to his popularity, but to the transformative legacy he has quietly built over the years.

As Commissioner, Okojie was instrumental in repositioning Edo State as an agricultural hub. Under his stewardship, the state recorded significant strides in food security and livelihood empowerment. He prioritized inclusivity by…

Read More
Business

NDPC, IOM Partner to Strengthen Data Protection in Nigeria’s Immigration Sector

post-image

 The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has pledged the Commission’s commitment to partnering with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in bolstering data protection compliance in Nigeria’s immigration operations.

This assurance was given during a working visit by a delegation from the IOM, led by Mrs. Emiola Oke, the National Coordinator on Immigration and Border Governance, to the NDPC headquarters in Abuja.

During the meeting, Mrs. Oke unveiled Project Capacity—a new initiative aimed at enhancing identity management, document verification, and policy development within Nigeria’s migration framework. She explained that the project involves extensive processing of personal data and emphasized the need for strict adherence to data protection and privacy regulations.

To this end, the IOM is seeking NDPC’s support in…

Read More
Business Health International News Opinion Travels

From Buns to Bank Halls to Bouillon Cubes – The Ever-Evolving Tale of Amaka Onyebuchi

post-image

 

Once upon a time in the vibrant campus of Federal Polytechnic Melle, a young Accounting student named Amaka Onyebuchi was juggling textbooks and trays of buns. Yes — buns! Long before she ever stepped into a boardroom, Amaka was already a master of the grind, hustling her way through school with determination and a dash of entrepreneurial flair.

After earning her degree, Amaka traded her apron for office heels and stepped confidently into the world of banking. She landed a role at Access Bank, where she quickly made a name for herself with her smarts, style, and a smile that could soften even the toughest client. It was a solid career path — respected, stable, and promising.

But Amaka had something else simmering inside her.

One day, she did the unthinkable. She left the predictable rhythm of banking and stirred up her real passion…

Read More
Business Economy Education

UTME 2025 Resit: JAMB Orders Retake for Nearly 380,000 Candidates Over Technical Glitch

post-image

 

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ordered a resit of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for nearly 380,000 candidates following a critical technical error that affected several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country. The rescheduled examination is set to commence on Friday, May 16, 2025.

In what is being described as one of the most extensive exam disruptions in recent years, a total of 157 CBT centres out of the 882 accredited nationwide have been identified as affected by an “unpatched error”—a term pointing to unresolved software glitches that compromised the integrity of the examination process in those centres.

According to verified data released by independent data analytics platform, Statisense, two zones were significantly impacted: Lagos Zone and Owerri Zone.

Breakdown of Affected Zones:

  • Lagos Zone:
    • 65 centres were affected.
    • A total of 206,610 candidates will be retaking the exam.
  • Owerri Zone:
    • 92 centres
Read More
Announcements Business News Security Society

AI Innovation vs. Privacy: African Regulators Chart Path at NADPA-RAPDP 2025 Conference

post-image

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The fourth plenary session of the 2025 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting took centre stage with an engaging discourse on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa: Privacy Paradox.” The session, which drew leading minds in AI policy and data protection, was chaired by Tahir Latif, Vice President and Data Privacy and AI Governance Officer at the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Dr ’Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bunmi Ajala—Senior Special Adviser on AI, Data & Research—highlighted the urgent need for African nations to strike a delicate balance between technological advancement and the protection of citizens’ privacy rights.

The session unpacked the growing tension between rapid AI adoption across the continent and the imperative to enforce data privacy regulations. Discussions revolved around practical strategies to ensure that…

Read More
Business Gadgets Government

NITDA Strengthens Collaboration with Key Government Agencies to Enhance IT Project Oversight

post-image

 

In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at bolstering effective governance and service delivery, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified efforts to ensure transparency and efficiency in federal IT projects.

As part of its mandate to act as the clearing house for all government IT initiatives, NITDA on Thursday paid strategic visits to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF). The visits focused on presenting the newly reviewed IT Project Clearance Guideline Document for feedback and collaboration.

The document, which is central to preventing corruption and duplication in government IT procurement, is also designed to foster accountability and value delivery in public sector technology investments.

Speaking during the engagements, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, noting that no single institution can drive digital economic transformation in isolation. “We must…

Read More
Business Gadgets International News Software Sponsored Technology Technology Trends

CyberDome and Cato Networks Collaborate to Deliver SASE in West Africa

post-image

 

 

CyberDome, West Africa’s leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), has announced a collaboration with Cato Networks, the SASE leader ,to deliver Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) across the region.

The collaboration has been described as a game changer for organizations in West Africa, delivering the Cato SASE Cloud Platform —which converges networking and security in a single, cloud-native platform through CyberDome’s always-on, locally managed Security operations Center (SOC). The result: a modern,secure-by-design infrastructure built for today’s cloud-first world.

“We’re blowing past the limitations of traditional IT,” said Eyal Titinger, Co-founder of CyberDome. “This collaboration brings together global technology and local expertise to deliver seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity—exactly what West Africa’s fastest-growing enterprises need.”

Goodbye Boxes. Hello Cloud Power.

This collaboration empowers organizations to eliminate legacy hardware and embrace agile, software-defined infrastructure. Benefits

include:

● Real-time, secure connection of users, offices, and cloud

resources across geographies.

● Built-in zero trust and SASE security to protect every edge.

●…

Read More