Imo State University Launches Africa’s Pioneering Robotic Surgery Academy

Imo State University has inaugurated a robotic surgery academy in collaboration with the Imo Robotic Centre, marking Africa’s first dedicated institution focused on specialized robotic surgery, with a target to train 500 surgeons and additional surgical professionals within two years.

The initiative aims to build local expertise in robotic‑assisted surgery, broaden access to advanced surgical techniques, and lessen Nigeria’s reliance on foreign medical facilities for specialist care.

Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a consultant urologist, laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, was recently appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery at the university, stating that the academy will train over 250 Nigerian surgeons within a two‑year period, with additional participants from across the continent.

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He noted that the partnership originated after a meeting between the university and the Imo Robotic Centre on 18 August 2026, and a university publication issued on 19 August 2026 documented the academy’s inauguration.

“We are not only training surgeons, but we are also training the whole surgical team. And 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 academy operates in conjunction with the Imo Robotic Centre, which was developed in partnership with the Imo State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Ekwueme reported that the centre performed its inaugural surgery in August and has since executed several robotic procedures, with patients already benefiting from the technology.

He characterized the facility as a significant development for the Southeast region, where advanced surgical technology had previously been scarce, enabling patients to receive specialized procedures locally without the need to travel far or abroad.

“We have bridged the gap. Nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery,” he said.

He further announced that plans are in progress to establish an oncology centre adjacent to the robotic facility to deliver advanced diagnostic and cancer‑treatment services.

A medical institute is also being developed through the collaboration between the state government and the Imo Robotic Centre.

On the application of robotic surgery, Ekwueme explained that the technology can be applied across multiple specialties, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected cardiac procedures.

He highlighted procedures such as prostate and kidney surgeries, fibroid removals, hysterectomies, ovarian operations, bowel cancer surgeries, and selected gallbladder procedures that could be performed using robotic assistance.

Robotic systems equip surgeons with magnified three‑dimensional visual feedback and precise instrumentation, especially valuable in confined spaces or when operating near delicate tissues.

These capabilities can reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, and shorten recovery times for appropriately selected patients.

Ekwueme stressed that merely acquiring robotic equipment is insufficient; surgeons and other team members must be thoroughly trained to operate the technology effectively.

His team achieved what he described as West Africa’s first gynaecological robotic surgery through the prostate clinic programme, with the patient discharged the same day.

Expanding access to robotic surgery could diminish medical tourism by enabling Nigerians to receive specialized treatment domestically.

He pointed out that seeking medical care abroad often imposes extra financial and emotional pressures on patients and families, such as travel, accommodation, and the challenges of receiving treatment in an unfamiliar setting.

He urged the Federal Government and public institutions to support robotic surgery adoption through partnerships and policies that lower equipment acquisition and maintenance costs.

He recommended reviewing the tax burden on importing advanced medical equipment to spur hospital investment and lower patient treatment expenses.

The academy has completed more than 145 robotic procedures under his program, the highest volume recorded by a comparable African initiative.

He noted that the centre has bridged the gap, allowing patients to undergo surgery without traveling far beyond their home.

The academy has also begun to establish an oncology centre adjacent to the robotic facility to deliver advanced diagnostic and cancer‑treatment services.

A medical institute is being developed through the collaboration between the state government and the Imo Robotic Centre.

On the application of robotic surgery, Ekwueme explained that the technology can be applied across multiple specialties, including urology, gynaecology, general surgery and selected cardiac procedures.

He highlighted procedures such as prostate and kidney surgeries, fibroid removals, hysterectomies, ovarian operations, bowel cancer surgeries, and selected gallbladder procedures that could be performed using robotic assistance.

Robotic systems equip surgeons with magnified three‑dimensional visual feedback and precise instrumentation, especially valuable in confined spaces or when operating near delicate tissues.

These capabilities can reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, and shorten recovery times for appropriately selected patients.

Ekwueme stressed that merely acquiring robotic equipment is insufficient; surgeons and other team members must be thoroughly trained to operate the technology effectively.

“We have bridged the gap. Nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ekwueme said his ambition was to make robotic surgery accessible to Nigerians across the country within the next decade while creating opportunities for highly trained medical professionals abroad to return home.

He expressed optimism that the partnership among Imo State University, the Imo Robotic Centre and the state government would provide a foundation for expanding advanced surgical services, developing local expertise and improving access to specialized healthcare in Nigeria and other African nations.

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