FG unveils robotic surgery to transform healthcare system in Nigeria

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, says the adoption of robotic surgery in Nigeria represents a giant stride forward for the nation’s healthcare system.

Professor Pate made the remark in Abuja during the unveiling of the Robotic Surgery Platform established by the Nisa Medical Group in partnership with Robomed Global and diaspora-based medical experts.

He lauded the Founder of Nisa Medical Group, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, along with the medical team, financiers, and regulators, describing the achievement as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s medical advancement.

According to the Minister, while the initiative may seem like a modest step for the Nisa Group, it was a major breakthrough for the country and the African continent, which signaled Nigeria’s entry into an era of precision and robotic-assisted surgery.

Tracing the evolution of surgical practice over thousands of years, the Minister highlighted the advantages of robotics, including unprecedented precision, reduced complications, and lower patient costs.

He noted that the newly launched platform had already performed a successful procedure, positioning Nigeria to train a new generation of surgeons equipped with cutting-edge skills.

Professor Pate emphasized the need to celebrate local achievements, noting that Nigeria would continue to record progress across both private and public health sectors.

He added that specialists from other African countries were already undergoing training in Nigeria, reflecting growing regional confidence in the nation’s healthcare capabilities.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment, the Minister said efforts were underway to expand health insurance coverage to 50 million Nigerians, in line with President Tinubu’s directive.

He stressed that technological innovations such as robotic surgery would enable Nigeria to leapfrog long-standing system challenges, and expressed optimism that strong public-private collaboration will further accelerate the nation’s healthcare transformation.

He also urged medical stakeholders to embrace emerging technologies to build a more efficient, affordable, and technology-driven healthcare system.

In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director of Nisa Medical Group, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, described robotic-assisted surgery as the next frontier in global medical practice. He explained that while traditional open surgeries had long given way to laparoscopic or endoscopic techniques, they still came with certain limitations.

“Robotic systems, introduced globally more than two decades ago, offer superior precision, smaller incisions, and faster patient recovery.”

Dr. Wada noted that the Nigerian initiative was made possible through a partnership with Robomed Global, a U.S. based medical technology organization, supported by Nigerian professionals in the diaspora committed to national development. He expressed confidence that the new programme would enhance Nigeria’s position as a leader in medical innovation in Africa.

On his part, the Senior Minister of Health for the Republic of Barbados, Dr. Jerome Walcott, commended Nisa Medical Group and its partners for the groundbreaking project.

Dr. Walcott said his visit to Nigeria provided an opportunity to strengthen mutual learning and deepen global health collaboration between both countries.