The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, on Thursday, inaugurated Nigeria’s first robotic surgery academy to strengthen specialist training and advance surgical innovation.

The Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) Robotic Surgery Academy was established in partnership with RoboMed Global, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and Redeemer’s University.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Alausa said the initiative would expand advanced medical training and strengthen local capacity in specialised healthcare services.

He said the federal government had spent about N250 billion on medical education in the past two years to improve training and institutional capacity.

Mr Alausa said the government was also working to increase admissions into medical and nursing programmes to address the country’s growing healthcare needs.

“The same number of medical students admitted while I was in medical school is the same number we have maintained over the years,” he said.

He added that this had continued without sufficient consideration of the country’s population growth.

Mr Alausa said annual enrolment in medical programmes was expected to increase to 20,000 within the next two years.

He said the government was committed to building local expertise and reducing the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised training.

The minister promised that qualified medical professionals would receive sponsorship through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to attend the academy.

He added that the academy would be included among the 28 approved institutions eligible for TETFund’s local scholarship component.

Mr Alausa also commended Nigerian professionals in the diaspora for contributing to the initiative and supporting specialist healthcare development.

Earlier, RHV chief executive officer, Adedamola Dada, said the academy aimed to develop a sustainable pipeline of robotic surgery professionals.

Mr Dada said the academy planned to train 400 robotic surgery specialists and surgeons within two years to strengthen Nigeria’s advanced surgical capacity.

He said the programme would cover urology, general surgery and gynaecology, alongside training for operating theatre personnel, biomedical engineers and hospital administrators.

Mr Dada revealed that two robotic systems valued at four million dollars had been acquired for surgical services and training.

He said the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria would oversee the postgraduate fellowship diploma programme and certify surgeons who completed the training.

He added that Redeemer’s University would train nurses, biomedical engineers and other technical personnel required to operate and maintain robotic surgical systems.

“The aim of this academy is to ensure that the introduction of robotic technology is accompanied by the skilled workforce needed to use it safely and effectively,” Mr Dada said.

He also disclosed that RHV had recently received accreditation as a medical school, describing the development as a milestone in healthcare advancement.

Obi Ekwenna, co-founder of RoboMed Global, said the academy would train surgeons, nurses and biomedical engineers to support safe robotic surgery.

Mr Ekwenna said the programme would include simulation, assessment of surgeons’ experience, supervised clinical practice and the use of carefully selected patients.

He said the academy would adopt aviation safety principles, emphasising teamwork, communication and a well-trained clinical and technical workforce.

“The essence of the academy is to train the entire ecosystem, not just surgeons alone,” he said.

Mr Ekwenna said robotic surgery required contributions from several healthcare specialties and commended the church, RHV and other partners.

Redeemer’s University Vice-Chancellor, Shadrach Akindele, said the academy represented a milestone in medical innovation and technology-driven patient care.

Mr Akindele said robotic-assisted surgery offered opportunities for greater precision and advanced clinical training but stressed that technology must serve patients’ needs.

He said success would depend on graduates’ competence, commitment to patient safety and contributions to improving surgical care.

He urged the partners to prioritise rigorous training, ethical practice, research and international collaboration to position West Africa as a centre of excellence in robotic surgery.

The president of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Anthony Ikefuna, said the academy would expand specialist training and support digital healthcare.

Mr Ikefuna said the initiative could develop local expertise and reduce medical tourism by providing advanced surgical training opportunities within Nigeria.

RHV performed its first robotic-assisted surgery in September, alongside what it described as Nigeria’s first telesurgical operation, in collaboration with RoboMed Global.

The Redeemer’s Health Village is a faith-based medical institution owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. 

(NAN)