Nigeria Records First Tele-Robotic Surgery as Doctors Remove Cancerous Kidney Tumour

Nigeria has achieved a historic medical milestone after surgeons successfully performed the country’s first tele-robotic surgery, remotely removing a cancerous kidney from a patient hundreds of kilometres away in what experts describe as a breakthrough for specialist healthcare delivery.

The pioneering operation was carried out through a collaboration between Redeemer’s Health Village (RHV) in Ogun State, RoboMed Global and Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja. Using a Toumai robotic surgical console, Professor Obi Ekwenna-Davis operated in real time from RHV while the patient remained in an operating theatre at Nisa Premier Hospital, where the cancerous kidney was removed through a robot-assisted right radical nephrectomy. The three-hour procedure was completed successfully, and the patient was reported to be in good condition with an expected discharge within 24 hours.

Tele-robotic surgery, also known as remote surgery, enables a surgeon to perform complex operations from a different physical location using robotic instruments, high-speed telecommunications and real-time data transmission. The successful procedure is believed to be the first telesurgery in West Africa, demonstrating that geographical distance no longer has to limit access to highly specialized surgical expertise.

Speaking after the operation, Ekwenna-Davis said the achievement proved that advanced surgical care could be delivered safely across different parts of Nigeria. He described the procedure as a powerful example of how technology can connect patients with specialist doctors regardless of location, adding that “distance should never decide who receives safe surgery.”

Dr. Adedamola Dada, Chief Executive Officer of Redeemer’s Health Village, said the operation marked more than a technological first, it demonstrated that Nigerians could increasingly access world-class healthcare without travelling abroad. He noted that reducing medical tourism was one of the long-term goals behind the hospital’s investment in robotic surgery and innovation.

The institutions behind the project have also announced plans to establish a robotic surgery academy aimed at training at least 150 surgeons and other medical professionals over the next two years. Organizers say continuous education will be essential if tele-robotic surgery is to become a sustainable part of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Health experts say the development could significantly improve access to specialist care in underserved regions by allowing experienced surgeons, including members of the Nigerian diaspora, to operate remotely on patients without requiring long-distance travel. The technology also has the potential to shorten treatment delays for complex conditions while strengthening collaboration between hospitals nationwide.

Nigeria’s first tele-robotic surgery represents more than a medical achievement, it signals a shift in how advanced healthcare may be delivered across Africa. As digital infrastructure and robotic technology continue to evolve, the successful operation offers a glimpse into a future where expertise, rather than geography, determines access to life-saving treatment.