Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in medical innovation with the successful performance of the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa.
The landmark procedure was carried out on Sunday at The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Lagos, by a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian-based and international specialists.
Medical experts have described the achievement as both a clinical breakthrough and a strategic leap, extending cutting-edge surgical innovation beyond its earlier focus on male urological conditions to address the long-neglected complexities of women’s reproductive health.
At the centre of the breakthrough is Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, Consultant Robotic Surgeon and Medical Director of TPC, whose facility introduced West Africa’s first surgical robot last year. Speaking after the procedure, Ekwueme said the decision to expand robotic surgery to gynaecology was deliberate and long overdue.
“Following our tradition of leading innovation in Nigeria and West Africa, we introduced the first surgical robot in the sub-region last year,” he said. “After focusing on men’s health and male-specific conditions, we are now transitioning fully into women’s surgeries. Today, we are proud to say that we have performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa.”
The patient, a young woman diagnosed with a painful ovarian tumour, had endured months of discomfort that disrupted her daily life and productivity. Using robotic-assisted technology, the surgical team successfully removed two large tumours with exceptional precision.
“This young woman had an ovarian tumour that caused pain, discomfort, and an inability to live a normal life,” Ekwueme explained. “With robotic surgery, we removed the tumours. She will go home today and return to work tomorrow.”
Robotic gynaecological surgery represents a significant departure from traditional open procedures that have long defined surgical care in Nigeria. Open surgery typically involves large incisions, considerable blood loss, prolonged hospital stays, and extended recovery periods that can keep patients away from work and family responsibilities for weeks or even months.
By contrast, robotic surgery allows surgeons to operate through tiny incisions using robotic arms controlled from a console that provides magnified, three-dimensional visualisation and enhanced dexterity. The result is greater surgical accuracy, minimal trauma to surrounding tissues, and significantly faster recovery.
“What people are used to is open surgery, where a patient may stay in hospital before surgery, spend five to seven days after surgery, and then require weeks of recovery at home,” Ekwueme said. “With robotic surgery, once vital signs are stable, within six hours the patient can eat and go home. Within 24 hours, she can return to normal daily activities.”
He described the procedure as a “game-changer” for women suffering from gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, uterine cancer, and selected cases of ectopic pregnancy.
Ekwueme stressed that the true value of robotic surgery cannot be measured solely in financial terms. While the technology is capital-intensive, he argued that the broader economic and social benefits far outweigh the costs.
“Our people tend to quantify cost only in naira and kobo,” he said. “But the unquantified cost of illness is much more complex. If a woman undergoes open surgery and is away from work for six months, that is six months of lost productivity. With robotic surgery, she can return to work almost immediately. In real terms, society gains months of productivity for a fraction of the cost.”
He disclosed that the surgery was performed at no cost to the patient as part of TPC’s corporate social responsibility initiative, noting that prolonged illness and loss of productivity impose a far heavier burden on families, employers, and the economy than the cost of advanced surgical care.
A key member of the surgical team, Prof. Yusuf Oshodi, Consultant Gynaecologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said the patient was carefully assessed and found suitable for robotic-assisted surgery.
“She is a 30-year-old woman who still intends to have children,” Oshodi said. “The tumour is benign, and the precision of robotic surgery allows us to remove only the affected tissue without compromising her fertility or damaging adjacent structures.”
According to Oshodi, this level of precision is critical in gynaecological surgery, where damage to surrounding organs can have lifelong consequences.
“Many Nigerian women suffer silently from fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding,” he said. “Fibroids are particularly common—affecting up to 70 per cent of women in some communities—although only about 10 to 20 per cent develop significant symptoms.”
He noted that delayed presentation often leads to complications such as severe anaemia, which can impair heart function and overall health.
“Robotic and minimally invasive surgery gives us the opportunity to intervene early, treat precisely, preserve reproductive capacity, and allow women to return quickly to their normal lives,” he added.
Another member of the team, Olaolu Aladade, a UK-based Consultant Gynaecologist with expertise in oncology and minimally invasive surgery, said the advantages of robotic surgery over open procedures are overwhelming.
“With open surgery, you have more complications, longer recovery times, and potential reproductive issues,” he said. “With robotic surgery, patients recover faster, spend fewer days in hospital, return to work sooner, and experience better psychological outcomes. In advanced health systems, this is already standard practice. Seeing it firmly established in Nigeria is deeply encouraging.”
Beyond the immediate clinical success, the breakthrough carries wider implications for Nigeria’s healthcare system. Ekwueme disclosed that TPC has partnered with the Imo State Government to establish Nigeria’s first dedicated robotic surgery centre, which is currently under construction.
The initiative, he said, is designed to drive innovation, research, and training, while reducing the country’s heavy reliance on overseas medical care.
“This revolution has just started,” Ekwueme said. “When governments have the vision and will to form these kinds of partnerships, citizens benefit. It will drive innovation, create research opportunities, and help stem brain drain.”
He urged Nigerian women to take symptoms seriously and seek early medical attention.
“If you have persistent pain or abnormal bleeding, don’t ignore it. A simple examination or ultrasound can save your life. Early detection allows us to treat problems before they become dangerous.”
