Imo State University (IMSU), in partnership with the Imo Robotic Centre, has established a robotic surgery academy aimed at training 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals within two years to expand access to advanced medical procedures in Nigeria.
Imo State University (IMSU) has established a robotic surgery academy in partnership with the Imo Robotic Centre, with a target of training 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals within two years.
A Consultant Urologist and newly appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery at IMSU, Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Sunday.
Ekwueme described the initiative as Africa’s first dedicated robotic surgery academy, noting that the institution’s department had been established within the university premises.
He said the partnership was established in August 2026 following a meeting between the university and its partners on August 18.
According to him, the Imo Robotic Centre successfully performed the first robotic surgery in the region in August, followed by several other procedures benefiting patients in the South-East.
He explained that the university subsequently partnered with the centre to establish the academy, adding that the institution had published an official announcement on August 19 confirming the initiative.
Ekwueme said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had also been signed, while a departmental building had been allocated for the academy.
He stressed that the initiative was designed not only to train surgeons but also to equip the entire surgical team with the skills required to perform safe and effective robotic procedures.
“We are not only training surgeons, but we are also training the whole surgical team.
“This is very important because we want to train a team to be able to deliver safe and effective robotic surgery at their own local centre,” he said.
The surgeon explained that the academy would also assist participating hospitals with the procurement and installation of robotic equipment to decentralise access to the technology across the country.
He said developing local expertise and expanding access to advanced surgical procedures would help reduce medical tourism and the outflow of resources spent by Nigerians seeking specialised healthcare abroad.
Ekwueme, who is also the Clinical Lead for Urology in North Wales at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom, commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma for supporting the initiative.
He maintained that patients in the region no longer needed to travel long distances or leave the country to access certain complex surgical procedures.
“We have bridged the gap. So, nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery,” he said.
He further disclosed that plans were underway to complete an adjoining oncology centre and establish a medical institute to provide specialised cancer diagnosis and treatment services.
According to him, the proposed facilities are being developed through a partnership between the Imo State Government and the Imo Robotic Centre.
Ekwueme also expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor of IMSU for appointing him Professor of Robotic Surgery, describing the recognition as an honour.
He disclosed that his team had performed more than 145 robotic procedures in Africa, expressing optimism that the technology would become increasingly accessible to Nigerians.
“In 10 years, I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria.
“I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less. I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that robotic-assisted surgery could be applied across several medical specialties, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected cardiac procedures.
Some of the procedures he listed include prostate and kidney operations, fibroid removal, hysterectomy, ovarian procedures, bowel cancer surgery and selected gallbladder operations.
According to him, robotic systems provide surgeons with magnified three-dimensional views of the operating field and specialised instruments that allow precise movements in confined spaces.
He said these capabilities could reduce surgical trauma, blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients.
Ekwueme contrasted robotic-assisted procedures with conventional open surgery, which often involves larger incisions and may require longer hospital stays and recovery periods.
However, he emphasised that acquiring robotic equipment alone would not guarantee successful outcomes, noting that surgeons must undergo proper training and demonstrate proficiency in operating the systems.
“The surgeon has to also be proficient in the use of the robotic machine. And that is where this training, that we are creating, becomes important,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to introduce tax waivers on imported robotic surgery equipment to reduce acquisition costs and make treatment more affordable for patients.
Ekwueme also encouraged public health institutions to take advantage of the academy’s training programmes, assuring that his team would assist interested hospitals in acquiring robotic systems.
He expressed optimism that the proposed training of 500 surgical professionals through IMSU certification would help reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“I seriously believe that a medical revolution is happening in Nigeria at the moment.
“I think that the world must pay attention to that, you know, because we are doing some great things here,” he said.
The professor added that the academy’s focus on training complete surgical teams would enable participating hospitals to operate the technology safely and effectively rather than depend solely on equipment availability.
He also disclosed that his team had performed what he described as the first gynaecological robotic surgery in West Africa through its programme at the prostate clinic, with the patient discharged on the same day.
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